The key of heaven: or, A manual of prayer

Unant of ®m%xtn.

UNITED STATES OF AMEBICA.

CO

THE

KEY OF HEAVEN

A MANUAL OF PRAYER.

ILLUSTRATED WITH MORE THAN 150 HIGHLYFINISHED ENGRAVINGS.

WITH THE APPROBATION OP

THE MOST REV. JOHN McCLOSKEY, D.D., ARCHBISHOP OF

NEW YORK.

OR,

NEW YORK:P. J. KENEDY, PUBLISHER,

47 Mot t Street.1870.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by

P. J. KENEDY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the

Southern District of New York.

The New York Printing Company,

8 i, 83, and 85 Centre Street*

New York.

CONTENTS.iX __

Page

Feasts and Fasts 9

Days of Abstinence. . . . 11Movable Feasts 12Roman Calendar . . 14Morning Prayer. 20

The Lord's Prayer. 23The Angelical Salutation 23

The Apostles' Creed.. 24The Confiteor, or General Confession 24A Prayer before the Acts 28An Act of Contrition 29

of Faith 29of Hope 30of Charity 31

A Devout Recommendation 32A Prayer for Perseverance in Goodness .... 33

to your Angel Guardian 34The Angehcs Domini 35The Litany of the most holy Name of Jesus . 37Salve Regina 42The Blessing 42Grace before Meat. , 43Grace after Meat 43Devotions for every Day in the Week 45Sunday—A Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity . 46Monday—A Prayer to the Holy Ghost 48Tuesday—A Prayer to our Guardian Angel . 50

iv CONTENTS.

Page

Wednesday—A Prayer to St. Joseph 52Thursday—A Prayer before the Blessed

Sacrament 54Friday—A Prayer to Jesus Suffering 56Saturday—A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin . 58Prayers at Night 60An Act of Contrition 65A Prayer for the Dead 67The Hymn

—

Te lucis ante terminum 68Antiphon 68The Prayer 69The Litany of the Blessed Virgin TOA Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary 75A Prayer to your Guardian Angel 76The Blessing 76A Prayer before going to Sleep 77The Seven Penitential Psalms 79The Litany of the Saints 95Devout Prayers which may be said after the

Litanies, according to the Diversity of

Times and Occasions 108A Prayer for God's holy Church 108

for the Chief Bishop 109for all degrees of the Church 109in any Necessity 110against the Persecutors of the

Church 110for the President of the United

States 110for the Afflicted Illfor Heretics and Schismatics 112for the unfaithful Jews 112for Pagans 113

CONTENTS. V

Page

A Prayer in time of War 113in time of Famine and Pestilence. 113for Rain 114for Fair Weather 114in any Tribulation 114for Remission of Sins 115against Temptations 115for such as are on a Journey 116for the Sick.... 116for the Living 117for our Friends 117to beg Grace of the Holy Ghost. . 118for our Enemies 120against wicked Thoughts 121for Charity 121for Patience 121for the Holy Catholic Church 122for special Friends 122for a friend in Tribulation 123for all those who are engaged in

the Employment or Service of

others 124for the Master and Mistress of a

Family « 126for Parents 128for Children under Parents' care . 130for Scholars before Study 131to be daily said by a Woman with

Child 133for a Husband or Wife 136for Widows 138for those who lead a Single Life . . 140

—for the Rich 1421*

Vi CONTENTS.

Page

Prayers before Mass 144Prayers at Mass 147Devotions for Confession and Communion. . 186Prayer before the Examination of Conscience. 187A Method of Examination of Conscience,

according to the threefold Duty we owe :

—1. To God; 2. To our Neighbor ; 3. Toourselves 189

An Examination for Confession 193The Precepts of the Church 203The Seven Deadly Sins 204A Prayer for obtaining Contrition 207Prayers before Confession 208Aspirations before Confession . 216Rules for a Penitent at Confession. 223Prayers after Confession 226Preparation for Communion 231An Act of Faith 232

of Hope 233of Charity 235of Desire 236of Thanksgiving 238of Fear 240of Humility 243

A Prayer before Receiving 245Instructions before Communion 247Instructions after Communion 249

Prayers after Communion 251

An Act of Praise and Adoration 253

of Hope 255

of Love 258An Oblation 259

A Prayer for Perseverance 260

CONTENTS. Vii

Page

A Concluding Prayer after Communion. . . . 262Devout Aspirations after Communion 263The Rosary of the Blessed Name of Jesus. . 270Fifteen Meditations on the Passion of our

Saviour Jesus Christ , . 290Litany of the Blessed Sacrament 300Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of

Jesus 309Litany of the Sacred Heart 311An Invitation, or the Devout Soul's ^Repair

to the Sacred Heart 315Reparation of Honor to the Sacred Heart . . 317Indulgences 321Of a Jubilee. . 324A Prayer for the whole State of Christ's

Church upon Earth 325A Universal Prayer for all Things necessary

to Salvation 333Instructions and Devotions for the Sick. . . . 337A Daily Prayer in Time of Sickness 340Acts of the most necessary Virtues to be made

in Time of Sickness 343A Daily Preparation for Death 347Litany for a Happy Death 350The Litany for the Sick, and Preparation

for Death 354A Prayer before Receiving the Viaticum. . . 360An Act of Thanksgiving, after having re-

ceived the Holy Communion, or Viaticum . 364A Prayer before Extreme Unction 366

after Extreme Unction 368Litany for a Soul Departing 371Litany for the Dead 387

Vlll CONTENTS.

Page

A Prayer upon the Day of a Person's Deceaseor Burial 394

The Thirty Days' Prayer to our Blessed Re-deemer 396

The Thirty Days' Prayer to the Blessed Vir-

gin Mary 404A devout Act of Contrition 412Office of the Blessed Yirgin 416The Jesus Psalter 431Prayer of the Agnus Dei 453The Memorare, or Prayer of St. Bernard to

the Blessed Virgin 454The Stations, or Holy Way of the Cross. ... 456The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin 514The Prayers of St. Bridget 546Indulgenced Prayer 563The Vespers, or Evening Song for Sundays

(Latin and English) 564The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.. 598A Prayer to St. Michael V . 606Ejaculatory Prayers 608The Short"Prayers at Mass 611

TABLEOF

HOLYDAYS ON WHICH THERE IS A STRICT-

OBLIGATION TO HEAR MASS, AND REFRAIN

FROM SERVILE WORK.

All Sundays in the year.

The Feast of the Circumcision of our

Lord, Jan. 1.*

The Epiphany, Jan. 6.*

The Annunciation of the Blessed

Virgin, March 25.*

Ascension of our Lord.

Corpus Christi, or the Feast of the

Blessed Sacrament.*Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

Mary, August 15.

* In the dioceses of New Orleans, St. Louis,Mobile

jVincennes, Dubuque, Little Rock, and

Chicago, the Circumcision, Epiphany, Annuncia-tion, and Corpus Christi, are not festivals of ob-

ligation.

10 FEASTS AND FASTS.

Feast of All Saints, November 1.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed

Virgin Mary, Dec. 8.

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Dec. 25.

FASTING-DAYS ON ONE MEAL.

All days in Lent, except Sundays.The eve of Whitsuntide.

The Quarter-Tenses, or Ember-days,which occur in the four seasons of the

year, viz. : the Wednesdays, Fridays,

and Saturdays—1. Immediately after

the first Sunday in Lent; 2. InWhitsun-week; 3. Immediately after the 14thof September; 4. Immediately after

the third Sunday of Advent.

The Vigil of the Assumption of the

Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Vigil of

All Saints.

Every Friday in Advent, and Christ-

mas-Eve.

N. B.—When a fasting-day falls uponSunday, the fast is observed on the

Saturday preceding that Sunday.

FEASTS AND FASTS. 11

DAYS OF ABSTINENCE FROM FLESH-MEAT.

All the Sundays in Lent, except whenthe use of meat is allowed by the Arch-bishop or Bishop of the Diocese.

All Fridays and Saturdays through-

out the year.*

If Christmas-day falls upon a Friday

or Saturday, neither fast nor abstinence

is observed.

* The abstinence on Saturdays is dispensed

with, for the faithful throughout the United States,

for the space of twenty years from I860, except

when a fast falls on Saturday. Hence, the Satur-

days of Lent, and Quarter-Tenses, and Vigils

falling on Saturday, are still days of abstinence

from flesh-meat

TABLEOF

MobaUt Stmt*.

Year of

ourLord,

Domini-cal

GoldenNum- The

Epact.

Septuage-sima

Sunday.

AshWednesday.

EasterSunday.

1870 b 9 28 Feb. 13 March. 2 April 171871 A 10 9 Feb. 5 Feb. 22 April 9

1872 11 20 Jan. 28 Feb. 14 March 31

1873 e 12 1 Feb. 9 Feb. 26 April 131874 d . 13 12 Feb. 1 Feb. 18 April 51875 c 14 23 Jan. 24 Feb. 10 March 281876 b A 15 4 Feb. 13 March 1 April 161877 g 16 15 Jan. 28 Feb. 14 April 1

1878 f 17 26 Feb. 17 March 6 April 21

1879 e 18 7 Feb. 9 Feb. 26 April 13

1880 d c 19 18 Jan. 25 Feb. 11 March 281881 b 1 Feb. 13 March 2 April 17

1882 A 2 11 Feb. 5 Feb. 22 April 9

1883 g 3 22 Jan. 21 Feb. 7 March 25

1884 f e 4 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 27 April 13

1885 d 5 14 Feb. 1 Feb. 18 April 5

1886 c 6 25 Feb. 21 March 10 April 25

1887 b 7 6 Feb 6 Feb. 23 April 101888 ' Ag 8 17 Jan. 29 Feb. 15 April 1

1889 f 9 28 Feb. 17 March 6 April 21

1890 e 10 9 Feb. 2 Feb. 19 April 6

1891 d 11 20 Jan. 25 Feb. 11 March 29

1892 c b 12 1 Feb. 14 March 2 April 17

1893 A 13 12 Jan. 29 Feb. 15 April 2

1894 g 14 23 Jan. 21 Feb. 7 March 25

1895 f 15 4 Feb. 10 Feb. 27 April 14

1896 e d 16 15 Feb. 2 Feb. 19 April 5

1897 c 17 26 Feb. 14 March 3 April 18

1898 b 18 7 Feb. 6 Feb. 23 April 101899 A 19 18 Jan. 26 Feb. 15 April 2

1900 g 1 29 Feb. 11 Feb. 28 April 15

1901 f 2 10 Feb. 3 Feb. 20 April 7

TABLEOP

Year of

ourLord.

AscensionDay.

Whitsunday.CorpusChristi.

Sundaysafter

Pentecost.

First Sundayof Advent.

1870 May 26 June 5

.

June lb O A24 Nov. 271871 May 18 May 28 June 8 26 Dec. 31872 May 9 May 19 May 30 27 Dec. 1

lo7o May 22 June 1 June 12 25 Nov. 301874 May 14 May 24 June 4 26 Nov. 291875 May 6 May 16 May 27 27 Nov. 281876 May 25 June 4 June 15 25 Dec. 3

1877 May 10 May 20 May 31 27 Dec. 21878 May 30 June 9 June 20 24 Dec. 1

1879 May 22 June 1 June 12 25 Nov. 301880 May 6 May 16 May 27 27 Nov. 281881 May 26 June 5 June 16 24 Nov. 271882 May 18 May 28 June 8 26 Dec. 3t ooolooo May 3 May 13

Tif„„ O, AMay #4 28 Dec. 21 OO Aloo4 31ay 22 June 1 June 12 OCT Nov. 301885 May 14 May 24 June 4 26 Nov. 291888 June 3 June 13 June 24 23 Nov. 281887 May 19 May 29 June 9 25 Nov. 27i OOOlooo May 10 May 20 May 31 27 Dec. 21 oonlooy 31ay 30 June 9 June 6\j

OA Dec. 1

lo90 May 15 May 25 June 5 2b Nov. 301891 May 7 May 17 May 28 27 Nov. 29ley£ ir„_ Oft

xVlay do June 5 June 16 OA Nov. 271893 May 11 May 21 June 1 27 Dec. 3

1894 May 3 May 13 May 24 28 Dec. 21895 May 23 June 2 June 13 25 Dec. 1

1898 May 14 May 24 June 4 26 Nov. 291897 May 27 June 6 June 17 24 Nov. 281898 May 19 May 29 June 9 25 Nov. 271809 May 11 May 21 June 1 27 Dec. 3

1900 May 24 June 3 June 14 25 Dec. 2

1901 May 16 May 26 June 6 26 Dec. 1

2

&§t <!taletttrat\

JANUARY.1 A

1011

121314151617181920

21 g22 A

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

3031

CIRCUMCISION OF OURLORD.

Octave of St. Stephen.Octave of St. John the Apostle.Octave of the Holy Innocents.Vigil of Epiphany.EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD.St. Lucian, Martyr.St. Severinus, Bishop.St. Julian and Companions,

Martyrs.St. Nicanor.St. Hyginus, Pope and Martyr.St. Tatiana, Martyr.Octave of Epiphany.St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor.St. Paul, first hermit.St. Marcellus, Pope and Martyr.St. Anthony. Abbot.Chair of St. Peter at Rome.St. Canute, King and Martyr.Sts. Fabian and Sebastian,

Martyrs.St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.Sts. Vincent and Anastasius,Martyrs.

Espousals of the Blessed VirginMary.

St. Timothy, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

Conversion of St. Paul, theApostle.

St. Polycarp, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

St. John Chrysostom, Bishopand Doctor.

St. Raymond, of Pennafort,Confessor.

St. Francis of Sales, Bishop, of

Geneva.St. Martina, Virgin and Martyr.St. Peter Nolasco, Confessor,Founder of the Order of OurLady for the Redemption of

Captives.

Second Sunday after Epiph-any, Most Holy Name ofJesus.

•21

•27

FEBRUARY.St. Ignatius, Bishop and Mar-

tyr.

Purification of the BlessedVirgin Mary.

St. Blaise, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

St. Andrew Corsini, Bishop.St. Agatha, Virgin and Mar-

tyr.

St. Titus, Bishop and Confes-sor.

St. Romuald, Abbot.St. John of Matha, Confessor.St. Apollonia, Virgin and Mar-

tyr.

St. Scholastica, Virgin.St. Anthems, Pope and Martyr.St. Telesphorus, Pope and Mar-

tyr.

St. Catharine of Ricci, Virgin.St. Valentine, Priest and Mar-

tyr.

Sts. Faustin and Jovita, Mar-tyrs.

St. Gregory X, Pope and Con-fessor.

St. Hyginus, Pope and Martyr.St. Simeon, Bishop and Mar-

tyr.

St. Conrad, Confessor.St. Eleutherius, Bishop and

Martyr.St. Severinus, Bishop and Mar-

tyr.

St. Peter's Chair at Antioch.St. Peter Damian, Bishop and

Doctor.St. Mathias, Apostle.

Blessed Sebastian at Puebla,

Confessor.St. Margaret of Cortona, Peni-

tent.

St. Leander, Bishop and Con-

fessor.St. Roma?iu8, Abbot.

Friday after Ash- Wednesday,Most Sacred Passion of ourLord,

THE CALENDAR. 15

MARCH.

67

8 i

9

1011

!

12

131415

16

17

18|

19 ,

20 1

21 <

232425

27

3031

St. John Mary Bonomo, Con-fessor.

St. Simplicius, Pope and Con-fessor.

St. Cunegundis, Empress ofGermany.

St. Casimir, King of Poland.Confessor.

St. John Joseph of the Cross,

Confessor.St. Colette, Virgin.St. Thomas Aquinas, Confessorand Doctor.

St. John of God, Confessor.St. Frances of Rome, WidowFoundress of the Oblates.

The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste.St. Eulogizes, Priest and Mar-

tyr.

St. Gregory the Great, Popeand Doctor.

St. Euphrasia, Virgin.St. Matilda, Queen of Germany.St. Zachary, Pope and Con-fessor.

St. Cyriacus and Companions,Martyrs.

St. Patrick, Bishop, and Apostleof Ireland.

St. Gabriel, Archangel.St. Joseph, Spouse of the B. V.Mary, Patron of North Ame-rica.

St. Cuthbert, Bishop and Con-fessor.

St. Benedict, Abbot, Founderof the Benedictires.

St. Catharine of Genoa, Virgin.St. Victorian, Martyr.St. Simon, Martyr.ANNUNCIATION OF THE B.

V. MARY.St. Ludger, Bishop.St. Rupert, Bishop.St. Sixtus, Pope and Confessor.St. Eustace, Abbot.St. John Climacus, Abbot.B. Nicholas Vanden Flue.

Friday after 1st S'inday ofLent, office of the Most SacredCrown of Thorns.

Friday after 2d Sunday ofLent, office of the Spear andNails.

APRIL.St, Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble,

Confessor.St. Francis de Paul, Confessor,Founder of the Minims.

St. Benedict a Sancto Phila-delphio, or the Black, Con-

st. Isidore, Bishop and Con-fessor.

St. Vincent Ferrer, Confessor.St. Sixtus, Pope and Martyr.St. Celestine, Pope and Con-fessor.

St. Dennis, Bishop of Corinth,Confessor.

St. Catharine of Bologna, Vir-

gin.

St. Mecthildis, Virgin.St. Leo, Pope and Doctor.St. Julius, Pope and Confessor.St. Hermenegild, Martyr.Sts. Tiburtius, Valerian, andMaximus, Martyrs.

St. Peter Gonzales, or St. Elmo,Confessor.

St. Fructuosus, Bishop, ofBraga.

St. Anicetus, Pope and Martyr.B. Mary of the Incarnation,Foundress of the French Car-melites.

St. Leo, Pope and Confessor.St. Agnes of Monte Pulciano.St. Anselm, Bishop and Doctor.Sts. Soter and Caius, Popes andMartyrs.

St. George, a Soldier, Martyr.St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen,Martyr.

St. Mark the Evangelist.Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus,Popes and Martyrs.

St. Turribius, Bishop) of Lima,Confessor.

St. Vitalis, Martyr.St. Peter of Verona, Martyr.St. Catharine of Sienna, Virgin.

Friday after Sd Sunday ofLent,office of the Five Wounds.

Friday after 4th Sunday ofLent, office of the Most Pre-cious Blood.

2d Sunday after Easter, Pat-ronage of St. Joseph.

16 THE CALENDAR.

MAY.

9

10

11

12

13

1415

16IT1819

20

2122

2324

25

27

28298031

Sts. Philip and James, Apos-tles.

St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doc-tor.

Finding of the Holy Cross.St. Monica, Widow.St. Pius V., Pope and Confessor.St. John the Apostle, before theLatin Gate.

St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

Apparition of St. Michael theArchangel.

St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishopand Doctor.

St. Antoninus, Bishop and Con-fessor.

St. Francis of Hieronimo, Con-fessor.

St. Nereus and Companions,Martyrs.

St. Jeremias, Prophet andMartyr.

St. Boniface, Martyr at Tarsus.St. Isidore, Confessor, Patron

of laborers.

St. Ubald, Bishop and Confessor.St. Paschal Baylon, Confessor.St. Venantius, a boy, Martyr.St. Peter Celestine, Pope and

Confessor.St. Bernardine of Sienna, Con-

fessor.

St. Felix of Cantalice, Confessor.

St. John Nepomucen, Martyr for

the secret of the Confessional.B. Andrew Bobola, Martyr.Blessed Virgin Mary, "Help

of Christians."St. Gregory VII., Pope and

Confessor.St. Philip Neri, Confessor,Founder of the Oratory.

St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi,

Virgin.St. Urban, Pope and Martyr.St. Boniface, Pope and Martyr.St. Felix, Pope and Martyr.St. Petronilla, Virgin.

This month is dedicated to the

Blessed Virgin, as the monthof Mary.

JUNE.St. Eleutherius, Pope and Mar-

tyr.

St. Marcellinus and Companions,Martyrs.

St. Clotilda, Queen of France.St. Francis Caraccioli, Confessor.St. Boniface, Apostle of Ger-many.

St. Norbert, Bishop and Con-fessor, Founder of the orderof Premonstratensians.

St. Paul of Constantinople,Bishop and Martyr.

St. Medard, Bishop.Sts. Primus and Felician, Mar-

tyrs.

St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland.St. Barnabas, Apostle.St. John a Facundo, Confessor.St. Anthony of Padua, Confessor.St. Basil the Great, Bishop and

Doctor.St. Vitus and Companions, Mar-

tyrs.

St. John Francis Regis, Con-fessor.

Sts. Marcian and Ificander,Martyrs.

Sts. Marcus and Marcellianus,Martyrs.

St. Juliana de Falconieri, Vir-

gin.

St. Silverius, Pope and Martyr.St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Confes-

sor.

St. Paulinus, Bishop and Con-fessor.

Vigil.

Nativity op St. John theBaptist.

St. William, Abbot, Founder ofthe Congregation of MonteVirgine.

Sts. John and Paul, Martyrs.St. Ladislaus, King.St. Irenseus, Bishop and Martyr.

S^S. PETER AND PAUL, Apos-tles.

Commemoration of St. Paul,

Apostle.

2d Friday after Corpus Christy

Feast of the Sacred Heart.

THE CALENDAR. 17

1314

15

16

IT

18

19

20

21

2223

25

2728

31

JULY.Octave of the Nativity of St.

John the Baptist.

Visitation of the BlessedVirgin Mary.

St. Paul, Pope and Confessor.St. Udalric, Bishop of Augs-

burg.St. Peter of Luxemburg.

Bishop.Octave of St. Peter and St.

Paul.St. Leo, Pope and Confessor.St. Elizabeth, Queen of Portu-

gal.

The Nineteen Martyrs at Gor-cum, in Holland.

Seven Brothers, Martyrs.St. Pius, Pope and Martyr.St. John Gualbert, Abbot,Founder of the order of Val-lumbrosa.

St. Anacletus, Pope and Martyr.". Bonaventure, Bishop andDoctor.

St. Henry, Emperor and Con-fessor.

B. V. MARY of Mount Car-mel.

St. Alexius, of Rome, Confes-sor.

St. Camillus of Lellis, Confes-sor, Founder of the order of

Regular Clerks for servingthe sick.

St. Vincent of Paul, Confessor,Founder of the Lazarists, andof the Sisters of Cnarity.

St. Jerome Emilian, Confessor,Founder of the RegularClerks of Somascha.

St. Praxedes, Virgin.St. Mary Magdalen.St. Apollinaris, Bishop and

Martyr.St. Christina, Virgin and Mar-

tyr.

St. James, Apostle.St. Ann, Mother of the B. V.Mary.

St. Pantaleon, Martyr.St. Nazarius and Companions,

Martyrs.St. Martha, Virgin.Sts. Abdon and Sennen, Mar-

tyrs.

St. Ignatius, Founder of theSociety of Jesus.

2*

AUGUST.

29

St. Peter's Chair.St. Alphonsus Liguori, Founder

of the order of the Redemp-torists.

Finding of the relics of St.

Stephen.St. Dominic, Founder of theorder of the Dominicans.

Dedication of St. Mary of theSnows.

Transfiguration of ourLord.

St. Cajetan, Confessor.St. Cyriacus and Companions,Martyrs.

St. Romanus, Martyr.St. Lawrence, Martyr.Sts. Tiburtius and Susanna,Martyrs.

St. Clare, Virgin, Foundress ofthe Poor Clares.

Sts. Hippolyte and Cassian,Martyrs.

Vigil.

Assumption of the B. V.Mary.

St. Hyacinth, Confessor.Octave of St. Lawrence.St. Agapitus, Martyr.St. Philumena, Virgin and

Martyr.St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor.St. Jane Frances de Chantal,Foundress of the VisitationNuns.

Octave of the Assumption.St. Philip Beniti, Confessor.St. Bartholomew, Apostle.St. Louis, King of France.St. Zephyrinus, Pope and Mar-

tyr.

St Joseph Calasanctius, Con-fessor.

St. Augustine, Bishop andDoctor, Founder of the Au-gustinian rule, followed bythe Augustinians, TJrsulines,

Hospital Nuns, &c.Beheading of St. John the

Baptist.

St. Rose of Lima.St, Raymond Nonnatus.

Sunday ivithin the Octave ofthe Assumption, the Feast ofSt. Joachim, Father of ourBlessed Lady,

18 THE CALENDAR.

9

10

11

12131415

16

IT

IS

19

20

21

22

232425

26

27

28

29

30i

SEPTEMBER.St. G-iles, Abbot.St. Stephen, King and Confes-

sor.

St. Euphemia and Companions,Virgins and Martyrs.

St. Rose of Viterbo, Virgin.St. Lawrence Justinian, Con-fessor.

St. Antoninus, Martyr.St. Regina, Virgin.

Nativity op the BlessedVirgin Mary.

St. Gorgonius, Martyr at Ni-comedia.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Con-fessor.

St. Protus and Companions,Martyr.-.

Holy Name of Mary.St. Philty, Martyr.Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Octave of the Nativity of theBlessed Virgin Mary.

Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian,Martyrs.

Stigmata of St. Francis of

Assisi.

St. Joseph a Cupertino, Confes-sor.

St. Januarius, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

St. Eustace and Companions,Martyrs.

St. Matthew, Apostle.St. Thomas of Villanova,Bishop and Confessor.

St. Linus, Pope and Martyr.Our Lady op Mercy.B. Peter Claver, Apostle of

Carthagena.Sts. Cyprian and Justinus, Mar-

tyrs.

Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Mar-tyrs.

St. Wenceslaus, Duke and Mar-tyr.

Dedication of St. MichaelsChurch at Rome.

St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor.Sunday within the Octave of

the Nativity of the BlessedVirgin, Feast of the HolyName of Mary.

The Sunday following the Oc-

tave, Feast of the Seven Do-lors.

1 A

2 b

3 c

4 d

5 e

6 f

7 g8 AQ b

10 ccl

12 e

13 f

14 g15 A

16 bIT c

18 d19 e

20 f

21 g

OCTOBER.St. Remy, Bishop and Confes-

sor.

Feast of the Holy Angel Guar-dians.

St. Gerard, Abbot.St. Francis, Founder of the

Friars Minors.St. Placidus and Companions,Martyrs.

St. Bruno, Confessor, Founderof the Carthusians.

St. Mark, Pope and Confessor.St. Bridget of Sweden, Widow.St. Denis and Companions,Martyrs.

Sc. Francis Borgia, Confessor.Si. Canicus, Abbot.Our Lady of Pilar.St. Edward the Confessor, King

of England.St. Callistus, Pope and Martyr.St. Teresa, Virgin, Reformer

of the Barefooted Carmelites.St. Gall, Abbot.St. Hedwige, Queen of Poland,Widow.

St. Luke, Evangelist.St. Peter of Alcantara, Confes-

sor.

St. John Cantius, Priest, Con-fessor.

St. Ursula, Patroness of theTJrsuline Nuns, with herCompanions, Martyrs.

St. Mary of Salome, Widow.Feast op our Most Holy Re-deemer.

St. Raphael, Archangel.Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria,

Martyrs.St. Evaristus, Pope and Mar-

tyr.

Vigil.

Sts. Simon and Jude, Apos-tles.

St. Narcissus, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

B. Alphonsus Rodriguez, Con-

Vigil of All Saints.

1st Sunday of October, Feast ofthe Holy Rosary of the B. V.

Mary.3d Sunday of October, Feast of

the Maternity of the B. V.

Mary.

THE CALENDAR. 19

1 d2 e

3 f

4 g

5 A

6 b7 c

3 d9 e

10 f

11 g

12 A.

13 b14 c

15 d16 e

17 f

18 g

NOVEMBER.All Saints.All Souls, or Commemoration of

the faithful departed.

St. Malachy, Bishop ofArmagh.Confessor.

St. Charles, Bishop and Confes-

sor.

St. Zachary, Father of St. JohnBaptist.

St. Leonard, Hermit.

St. Willibrod, Bishop of U-trecht.

Octave of All Saints.

Dedication of St. Savior's orSt. John Lateran.

St. Andrew Avellino, Confes-

sor.

St. Martin, of Tours, Bishop 10and Confessor.

St. Martinus, Pope and Martyr. 11

St. Diego of Alcala, Confessor.

St. Stanislaus Kostka, Confes- 12

sor.

St. G-ertrude, Virgin.St. Paul of the Cross, Founder 13

of Passionists. 14St. Gregory Thaumaturgus,Bishop and Confessor. 15

Dedication of the Churchesof St. Peter and St. Paul at 16Rome.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, 17Widow.

St. Felix of Valois, Confessor, 18Founder of the order of Trin-itarians. 19

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr. "21

St. Clement, Pope and Martyr. 22St. John of the Cross, Confes-

sor.

St. Catharine, Yirgin and Mar- 23tyr. 24

St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop 25and Martyr. 26

B. Leonard, of Port Maurice,Confessor. 27

St. Gregory, Pope, Confessor.St. Saturninus, Martyr. 28St. Andrew, Apostle. 292d Sunday of November, Feast

of the Patronage of the B. V.

Mary. 30

Sunday nearest to th& Feast ofSt. Andrew^ First Sunday of 31

Advent.

DECEMBER.St. Eloyt

Bishop of Noyon, Con-

St. Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr.St. Francis Xavier, Confessor,Apostle of the Indies.

St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishopand Doctor.

St. Sabbas, Abbot.St. Nicholas, Bishop and Con-

fessor.

St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doc-tor.

Immaculate Conception ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary,Patronal Feast of the UnitedStates.

St. Leocadia, Virgin.St. Melchiades, Pope and Con-

fessor.

St. Damasus, Pope and Confes-sor.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pa-tronal Feast in Mexico andCalifornia.

St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr.St. Eulalia, Virgin and Mar-

tyr.

Octave of the Immaculate Con-ception.

St. Eusebius, Bishop and Mar-tyr.

St. Lazarus, Bishop and Con-fessor.

Expectation of the Blessed Vir-gin Mary.

St. Nemesis and Companions^Martyrs.

Vigil.

St. Thomas, Apostle.Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Con-fessors, Apostles of the Scla-vonians.

St. Servulus, Confessor.Vigil.

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD.St. Stephen, the Deacon, Proto-

martyr.St. John, Apostle and Evan-

gelist.

Holy Innocents.St. Thomas a Becket, Arch-bishop of Canterbury andMartyr.

St. Sabinus, Bishop of Spoleto,Confessor.

St. Sylvester, Pope and Con-fessor.

MORNING Prayer is a duty which

God requires as the first-fruits of the

day : most religiously then should it

be consecrated to him. The success

of our actions for the rest of the

PRAYERS FOR MORNING. 21

day, depends in a great measure up-

on this first duty. To begin the daywithout imploring Gods grace, andthanking him sincerely for the repose

of the night, is certainly to expose

ourselves to infinite danger.

But, before your prayer, recollect your-

self a moment : think what you your-

self are, and what that God is, to

whom you are going to speak. Youwill thus conceive the importance ofthe action, and the sentiments of hu-

mility, of regret for your faults, ofattention, respect, fervor, love, andconfidence, with which you shouldaddress him.

At waking in the morning, say

:

MY God, my only good, the

author of my being, and mylast end, I give thee myheart. Praise, honor, and

glory be to thee forever andever. Amen.

22 PRAYERS FOR MORNING.

At rising up, say

:

* TN the name of the Father, and of

X the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.I will raise myself up from this bed

of sleep, to adore my God, and to labor

for the salvation of my soul. may I

rise on the last day, to life everlasting !

While clothing yourself, say :

OMY God, clothe my soul with the

nuptial robe of charity, and grant

that I may wear it pure and un-

defiled before thy judgment-seat.

When clothed, kneel down, and say

:

IN the name of the Father, &c. Amen.Blessed be the holy and undivided

Trinity, now and for evermore.

Amen. Come, Holy Ghost, replenish

my heart, and enkindle in it the fire of

thy divine love. Amen.


The Lord's Prayer.

UR Father, who art in Heaven,hallowed be thy name

;Thy

Kingdom come;

thy Will bedone on earth as it is in Heaven.Give us this day our daily bread ; andforgive us our trespasses, as we forgive

them who trespass against us;and lead

us not into temptation ; but deliver us

from evil. Amen.

The Angelical Salutation.

HAIL, Mary, full of grace ; the Lordis with thee ; blessed art thouamongst women; and blessed is

the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.—HolyMary, Mother of God, pray for us sin-

ners, now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen.


The Apostles' Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Al-

mighty, Creator of Heaven andEarth ; and in Jesus Christ his only

Son, our Lord ; who was conceived bythe Holy Ghost; born of the Yirgin

Mary ; suffered under Pontius Pilate

;

was crucified, dead and buried; he de-

scended into Hell; the third day herose again from the dead ; he ascendedinto Heaven; and sitteth at the right

hand of God, the Father Almighty

:

from thence he will come to judge the

living and the dead. I believe in the

Holy Ghost ; the Holy Catholic Church;

the Communion of Saints; the Forgive-

ness of Sins ; the Resurrection of the

Body ; and life everlasting. Amen.

the confiteor; or general confession.

I CONFESS to Almighty God, to the

blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed

Michael the Archangel, to blessed

John the Baptist, to the holy apostles

Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints,


that I have sinned exceedingly, in

thought, word, and deed, through myfault, through my fault, through mymost grievous fault. * Therefore I be-

seech the blessed Mary ever Virgin,

blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed

John the Baptist, the holy apostles

Peter and Panl, and all the Saints, to

pray to the Lord our God for me.May Almighty God have mercy on

me, forgive me my sins, and bring meto everlasting life. Amen.

LMIGHTY GOD! who thoughdwelling in the highest heaven,

yet vouchsafest to regard the low-

est creature upon earth, I humbly adore

thy sacred Majesty, and with all the force

and powers of my soul exalt and praise

thy holy name for the infinite blessings

thou hast so freely bestowed on me, for

electing me in thy love, and creating

me to thy own image ; for redeemingme by thy Son, and sanctifying mewith thy Holy Spirit; for preserving

me in all the chances and encounters


of this life, and raising up my thoughts

to the hope of a better ; and particular-

ly for thy gracious protection from the

dangers of the past night, and for bring-

ing me safely to the beginning of this

day. Continue, Lord, thy mercy to

me, and as thou hast awakened mybody from sleep, so raise my soul fromsin, that I may walk soberly and chaste-

ly as in the day, in all holy obedience,

before thy face.

Deliver me, merciful Cod, from the

evils of this day, and guide my feet in

the ways of peace. Strengthen my res-

olutions to embrace with gladness all

opportunities of doing good, and care-

fully to avoid all occasions of sin, espe-

cially those which I have found by ex-

perience to be most dangerous to mysoul ; and when, through frailty, I for-

get thee, do thou in thy mercy remem-ber me ; that as I often fall by the evil

inclination of my nature, I may instant-

ly rise again by the assistance of thy

grace. Make me diligent in the duties

of my calling and state of life, and not


too solicitous for the success of myaffairs ; but in all the miscarriages andcrosses of this world, absolutely submit

to thy divine pleasure, and wholly rely

on thy merciful providence. Let thyblessing be upon my actions, and thygrace direct my intentions ; that the

whole course of my life, and the princi-

pal design of my heart;may always

tend to the advancement of thy glory,

the good of others, and the eternal sal-

vation of my own soul, through Jesus

Christ our Lord and only Saviour, who,with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth

and reigneth, one God, world withoutend. Amen.

Give me grace, Lord, to do whatthou comniandest, and command whatthou pleasest.

Give me grace to suffer what thoupermittest, and permit what thou pleas-

est.

The blessing of God Almighty, Fa-ther, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend up-

on me, and dwell in my heart forever.

Amen.


ACTS OF CONTRITION, FAITH, HOPE, ANDCHARITY.

A Prayer hefore the Acts.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God,

grant unto us an increase of

faith, hope, and charity. Andthat we may obtain what thou hast

promised, make us love what thou com-mandest, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.


An Act of Contrition.

OMY God, I am heartily sorry for

having offended thee, and I detest

my sins most sincerely, because

they displease thee, my God, who art

so deserving of all my love, for thy in-

finite goodness and most amiable per-

fections ; and I firmly purpose, by thy

holy grace, never more to offend thee.

An Act of Faith.

OMY God, I firmly believe that

thou art one only God, the Creator

and sovereign Lord of heaven andearth, infinitely great and infinitely

good. I firmly believe that in thee, oneonly God, there are three divine persons,

really distinct and equal in all things,

the Father, and the Son, and the HolyGhost : I firmly believe that Jesus

Christ, God the Son, became man ; that

he was conceived by the Holy Ghost,3*


and was born of the Virgin Mary, that

he suffered and died on a cross to re-

deem and save us, that he arose the

third day from the dead; that he as-'

cended into heaven ;that he will come

at the end of the world to judge man-kind ; and that he will reward the goodwith eternal happiness, and condemnthe wicked to the everlasting pains of

hell. I believe these and all other ar-

ticles, which the holy Roman Catholic

Church proposes to our belief, becausethou, my God, the infallible truth, hast

revealedthem ; and thou hast command-ed us to hear the Church, which is the

pillar and the ground of truth ; in this

faith I am firmly resolved, by thy holy

grace, to live and die. Matt, xviii. 17,

and 1 Tim. iii. 15.

An Act of Hope.

OMY God, who hast graciously

promised every blessing, even

heaven itself, through Jesus Christ,


to those who keep thy commandments—relying on thy infinite power, good-

ness, and mercy, and on thy sacred

promises, to which thou art always faith-

ful ; I confidently hope to obtain par-

don of all my sins;grace to serve thee

faithfully in this life, by doing the goodworks thou hast commanded, andwhich, with thy assistance, I now pur-

pose to perform; and eternal happiness

in the next, through my Lord andSaviour, Jesus Christ.

An Act of Charity, or an Act of the

Love of God and of our Neighbor.

OMY God, I love thee with mywhole heart and soul, and aboveall things ; because thou art infi-

nitely good and perfect, and most wor-thy of all my love ; and for thy sake,

I love my neighbor as myself. Merci-

fully grant, my God, that having lov-

ed thee on earth, I may love and enjoy

thee forever in heaven. Amen.


A Devout Recommendation, which maybe used every Morning, or any other

Time.

ADORE and glorify thee,

blessed Trinity, God Al-

mighty, Father, Son, andHoly Ghost. I offer my-

WjL self to thy divine Majesty,

humbly beseeching thee to

take from me, and from all

thy faithful, whatever displeases

thee, and to give us that which is grate-

ful in thy sight; grant that we mayhere do what thou commandest, andhereafter receive what thou promises!

To thee, Lord, I commend mysoul and body (my wife and children,

my father and mother, my brothers andsisters), my kinsfolk, benefactors, andfriends, all my nearest and dearest rela-

tives, and all those for whom I am anyways bound to offer up my prayers.

To thee I commend the Holy Catholic

Church. To thee I commend these

United States, and our President.


Grant, Lord, that all may know thee,

all may honor and reverence thee, all

may love thee, and be loved by thee.

Reduce those that err, and bring themagain into the way of truth : abolish

heresies, and convert all to the true

faith, who as yet do not know thee.

Grant us, Lord, thy grace, and pre-

serve us in thy peace;may thy holy

will be done, and not ours. Comfort all

those that lead their lives in sorrow,

misery, or temptation, and mercifully

relieve them in their afflictions, whetherspiritual or corporal. Lastly, I com-mend all universally to thy holy pro-

tection, beseeching thee that thouwouldst vouchsafe to grant to the living

forgiveness of their sins, and to the

souls departed everlasting rest. Amen.

A Prayerfor Perseverance in Goodness.

BANT, my Lord Jesus Christ,

that I may persevere in good pur-

poses, and in thy holy service, to

my death; and that I may this dayperfectly begin, for all I have hitherto

done is nothing. Amen.3


Here, if you have leisure, add, out ofthe devout prayers, that which is

adapted to your state in life.

A Prayer to your Angel Guardian.

ANGEL of God, to whose care I

am committed by the supremeclemency, illuminate, defend, and

govern me this day in all my thoughts,

words, and actions. Amen.Bless us, Lord, and preserve us

from all evil, and bring us to eternal

life; and may the souls of the faithful

departed, through the mercy of God,rest in peace. Amen.


When at Morning, Noon, or Evening, the

Sign of the Salutation is given, say,

^^îHE Angel of the Lord de-

clared to Mary,* and she

conceived by the HolyGrhost. Hail Mary, &c.

Behold the handmaid of the

Lord :* be it done unto me ac-

cording to thy word. Hail Mary,


&c. And the Word was made flesh,*

and dwelt amongst us. Hail Mary,&c.

V. Pray for us, holy Mother of

God.

R. That we may be made worthy of

the promises of Christ.

The Prayer.

POUR forth, we beseech thee,

Lord, thy grace into our hearts,

that we, to whom the incarnation

of Christ thy Son was made known bythe message of an angel, may, by his

passion and cross, be brought to the

glory of his resurrection, through the

same Christ our Lord. Amen.May the souls of the faithful depart-

ed, through the mercy of God, rest in

peace. Amen.

Uttang of tjje jlttost ffloty

Name of Sfasus*

4


[Form to which an indulgence of three

hundred days was granted by PopePius IX., who suppressed all other

forms.)

f^ÔRD, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

Father oftheheavens, God,>

Son, Redeemer of the world,

God,

Holy Spirit, God,

Holy Trinity, One God,

Jesus, Son of the living God,

Jesus, splendor of the Father,

Jesus, brightness of the eternal

light, r ^Jesus, king of glory,

Jesus, son of justice,

Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary,Jesus, amiable,

Jesus, admirable,

Jesus, powerful God,

Jesus, father of the world to come,

PRAYERS FOR MORNING.

Jesus, angel of the great council,

Jesus, most powerful,

Jesus, most patient,

Jesus, most obedient,

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

Jesus, lover of chastity,

Jesus, lover of us, .

Jesus, God of peace,

Jesus, author of life,

Jesus, model of virtues,

Jesus, zealous for souls,

Jesus, our God,

Jesus, our refuge,

Jesus, father of the poor,

Jesus, treasure of the faithful,

Jesus, good shepherd,

Jesus, true light,

Jesus, eternal wisdom,Jesus, infinite goodness,

Jesus, our way and our life,

Jesus, joy of angels,

Jesus, king of the patriarchs,

Jesus, master of the apostles,

Jesus, teacher of the evangelists,

Jesus, strength of martyrs,

Jesus, light of confessors,


Jesus, purity of virgins, ) Have mer-Jesus, crown of all saints,

)cy on us !

Be merciful, Spare us, Jesus.

Be merciful, Hear us, Jesus.

From all evil,

From all sin,

From thy wrath,

From the snares of the devil,

From the spirit of fornication,

From eternal death,

From a neglect of thy inspira-

tions,

By the mystery of thy holy incar-

nation,

By thy nativity,

By thy infancy,

By thy most divine life,

By thy labors,

By thy agony and passion,

By thy cross and dereliction,

By thy languors,

By thy death and burial,

By thy resurrection,

By thy ascension,

By% joys,

By thy glory,


Lamb of God, who takest away the sins

of the world, Spare us, Jesus


of the world, Hear us, Jesus !


of the world, Have mercy on us,

Jesus !

Jesus, hear us.

Jesus, graciously hear us.

Let us pray.

OLORD Jesus Christ, who hast

said, Ask and you shall receive ;seek and you shall jind y knock

and it shall be opened unto you y mer-cifully attend to our supplication, andgrant us the gift of thy divine charity,

that we may ever love thee with our

whole heart, and never desist from thypraise.

JESUS ! grant us a perpetual fear

and love of thy holy name, as

thou never ceasest to direct andgovern by thy providence those whomthou dost instruct in the solidity of thylove.

4*


Salve Regina.

Ip^ralAIL ! holy Queen, Mother of

Im I Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness,1 and our Hope ; to thee do wecry, poor banished sons of Eve ; to thee

do we send up our sighs, mourning andweeping in this valley of tears : turn

then, most gracious advocate, thy eyes

of mercy towards us, and after this our

exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of

thy womb, Jesus. most clement,

most pious, and most sweet Virgin

Mary.V. Pray for us. holy Mother of

God.



The Blessing.

THE peace of our Lord Jesus Christ

;

—virtue of his sacred passion :

—

the sign of the holy cross ;—the

purity and humility of the Blessed

Virgin Mary;—the protection of the

angels;—and the intercession of all


the saints and elect of God, be with me,

and defend me now, and at the hour of

my death, sweet Jesus. Amen.

At going forth out of your House, say,

SHOW me, Lord, thy ways, andteach me thy paths. Direct mysteps according to thy words, that

no injustice may rule over me. Makeperfect my walking in thy paths, that

my steps may not be moved.

Grace before Meat.

LESS us, Lord, and these thygifts, which of thy bounty we are

about to receive, through Christ

our Lord. R. Amen.

Grace after Meat.

E give thee thanks, AlmightyGod, for all thy benefits, wholivest and reignest world without

end. R. Amen.Vouchsafe, Lord, for thy name's

sake, to render to our benefactors life

everlasting. R. Amen.


V. May the souls of the faithful de-

parted, through the mercy of G-od;rest

in peace. It. Amen.

Btbottom for eberg Hag in

A holy and ancient practice amongst

the faithful has consecrated every

day in the iveek to some particular«

devotion. It is with this spirit that

a prayer is here set down for each

of these days.

46 DEVOTIONS FOR

SUNDAY.

A Prayer to the most Holy Trinity.

^V^LORY be to the Father, who,

k& by his power, hath brought|

us forth from nothing, andcreated us to his own like-

$5 ness. Glory be to the Son,

who by his wisdom hath de-

livered us from IJell, and opened I

Heaven for us. Glory be to the

EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK. 47

Holy Ghost, who, by his mercy, hath

sanctified us in baptism, and still con-

tinues to sanctify us by the graces

which we every day receive from him.

Glory, honor, and praise be to the three

persons of the most holy and undivided

Trinity, now and forever. We adore

thee, Holy Trinity ! we worship thee

;

we most humbly give thee thanks for

having revealed to us this glorious, this

incomprehensible mystery; and for

granting to those who shall persevere

until death in the faithful profession of

it, the reward of beholding and enjoy-

ing in Heaven, what we now believe

and adore upon Earth—One God in

Three Persons, the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

48 DEVOTIONS FOR

MONDAY.

A Prayer to the Holy Ghost.o^^m0Wa SANCTIFIER of our souls !

:'^ :

fW''^ ^hoii Spirit of love and

VWW^^& truth. !We adore thee as

the principle of our eternal

liaPpiuess 'we tnank thee as

fSf * the dispenser of all heavenly

favors; and we invoke thee as


the source of that light and strength,

by which alone we can know what is

good, and be enabled to practise it.

Enlighten our understandings, fortify

our wills, purify our hearts, regulate

our movements, and make us attentive

to all thy inspirations. Pardon us,

thou Spirit of Grace and Mercy ! par-

don us our constant infidelities, andthe shameful insensibility with whichwe have so often resisted the mosttouching impulses of grace. We are

at length resolved to be no longer re-

bellious to it : but to obey it with suchdocility, that we may taste those fruits,

and enjoy those beatitudes, which thysacred gifts can produce in our souls.


A Prayer to our Guardian Angel.

HOLY Angel, to whosecare God in his mercy hathcommitted me, I return thee

now my most sincere andhumble thanks ; I conjure thee,

amiable Guide, to continue

still thy care; to defend meagainst my enemies; to remove

from me the occasions of sin ; to obtain

for me a constant docility to divine in-

spirations ; to protect me, in particular,

at the hour of my death ; and then to

conduct me to the mansions of eternal

repose, where, in thy blessed society,

I may praise our Creator forever.

Amen.

52 DEVOTIONS FOR

WEDNESDAY.

A Prayer to St. Joseph.

FAITHFUL servant, whomdod had charged with the

care of his family; thou

whom he had established

the guardian and protector of

the life of Jesus, the consoler

support of his Mother, and


his own faithful Associate in the great

affair of our Redemption ; thou whohadst the happiness to live with Jesus

and Mary, and to expire in their

arms : Chaste Spouse of the Mother of

God ! thou model of pure, humble, andinterior souls ! be touched with the

confidence we have in thee ; and gra-

ciously accept these testimonies of our

devotion. We return God thanks for

the favors he hath bestowed on thee

;

and we beg, through thy intercession,

that we may imitate thy virtues. Prayfor us, then, glorious Saint ; and bythat love thou always hadst for Jesus

and for Mary, and which Jesus andMary had also for thee, obtain alwaysfor us the incomparable advantage of

living faithful to Jesus, and of dying in

his love. Amen.

5*

54 DEVOTIONS FOR

THURSDAY.

A Prayer before the Blessed Sacra-ment.

P^^t SWEET and adorable Jesus,

Wvi^M^ who, in the excess of thy^P^^^ love, art pleased to dwell

^^^^m^ w^h us ^n Sacrament of

ê ^*ar ^ ^"ere acknowledge

mjjM that thou art nay Sovereign andmJ : I adore thee with the

^ e

most profound humility ; I thankthee with allmy heart, for the tenderness

thoij. here showest me, in spite of the

treatment thou receivest. Pierced with


the sincerest grief, at the sight of myingratitude, I come, God of Majesty,

to make thee some poor amends, for all

the sacrileges and the impiety whichwere ever committed or ever shall becommitted against this adorable Sacra-

ment. Why cannot I, God, sufficient-

ly testify my own regret, for having so

often appeared before thee with indiffer-

ence, and for having approached thee

with so little fervor, and so little love ?

Forget, Lord, my iniquities, that thou

mayest remember only thy own infinite

mercies. Deign to accept the desire I

have of honoring thee in the adorable

Sacrament. Yes, I wish with all myheart to love thee, to bless, to praise,

and adore thee here, as fervently as the

saints and angels adore thee : and I

conjure thee, by this sacred Body, andby this most precious Blood, that I mayhenceforth honor thee so fervently, andreceive thee so worthily, that after this

life, I may praise thee forever with thy

Saints in Heaven. Amen.

56 DEVOTIONS FOR

FRIDAY.

A Prayer to Jesus suffering.

SPOTLESS Lamb ! Inno-

cent Yictim ! who by thyDeath and Blood hast ef-

faced the sins of mankind,blot out my iniquities, and donot permit that thy sufferings

should become useless to me.


Jesus, humbled, sorrowful, desolate,

and resigned to death ! help me to re-

ceive, with a resignation like thine,

whatever afflictions thou shalt please to

send me. Jesus, torn with stripes,

pierced with thorns, weltering in blood

for my sake, teach me to endure, for

love of thee, the anguish and incon-

venience of ill health, misery, or afflic-

tions. Jesus, abandoned to exe-

cutioners, shamefully condemned to

a cross, enable me to fly all vain-glory,

and patiently to endure the most hum-bling contradictions. Jesus, sinking

under the weight of thy cross, I unite

myself to thee, and my crosses also to

thine—grant me grace to bear themwith patience and resignation. Jesus,

raised up on thy cross, draw me nowpowerfully to thee : thou art expiring

for my sake, let me never live but for

thine; that being henceforth crucified

with thee, my whole occupation may beto love and to adore thee incessantly.

Amen.

58 DEVOTIONS FOR

SATURDAY.

A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin.

BLESSED Virgin, Motherof God ! and by this august

^g^^^ quality, worthy of all re-j

^^^^M^ spect from men and angels,

^ come *° ° er êe my m°s*

humble homage, and to im-

*/|^ô plore the aid of thy prayers and^° protection. Thy intercession is


most powerful, and thy goodness for

mankind on earth, is equal to thy influ-

ence in Heaven. Thou knowest,

blessed Virgin ! that I look up to thee

as my Mother, my Patroness, my Ad-vocate: I acknowledge with humblegratitude that thy virtues singled thee

out for the mother of my Redeemer.I will henceforth honor and serve thee

assiduously. Accept, blessed Virgin,

my protestations of fidelity; look favor-

ably on the confidence I have in thee

j

obtain for me of thy dear Son, a lively

faith, a firm hope, a tender, generous,

and constant love. Obtain for me a

cautious purity, a sincere humility, aplacid resignation to the will of God,and so faithful an imitation of thyvirtues through life, that I may exult

in thy patronage at the hour of mydeath. Amen.

ilragers at Nt$ji

^^^^ N the name of the Father,

^^^S: &c. Amen.b|l| Our Father, Hail Mary, Ifep* believe in God.

^ Blessed be the holy andundivided Trinity, now, and

i'/M forever. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR NIGHT. 61

ETERNAL, infinite, and AlmightyGod ! whose glory the heaven of

heavens cannot contain, look downon thy unworthy servant, prostrate at

the feet of thy mercy, and humbly con-

fessing to thee, in the sight of all thy

holy angels and blessed saints, the sin-

fulness and vanity of my life, but espe-

cially the transgressions of this day, bywhich I have so grievously wounded myown soul.

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed

Mary, ever Yirgin, to blessed Michaelthe Archangel, to blessed John the Bap-tist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul,

and to all the saints, that I have griev-

ously sinned in thought, word, and deed,

through my fault, through my fault,

through my exceeding great fault.

Here examine diligently what sins youmay have fallen into this day, bythought, word, deed, or omission, andhumbly confessing them,proceed thus

:

OF these, and all my other sins, I

most sincerely repent, and am6

62 PRAYERS FOR NIGHT.

heartily sorry for every thought, word,

and deed, by which I have dis-

pleased the eyes of thy glory, and pro-

voked thy wrath and indignation against

me : especially for my disobedience to

so holy a law, and extreme ingratitude

to so gracious and bountiful a God.

I acknowledge, Lord, that I have not

merited the least of thy mercies, butrather deserve the greatest of thy judg-

ments : but as thou hast revealed thy-

self to be a God of pity and compassion,

forgiving the iniquities of such as truly

repent, and absolving all those that vol-

untarily condemn themselves, wherefore

with a penitent and contrite heart, I

freely confess the guiltiness of my ownconscience, and humbly offer these

prayers, &c. to thee, for my penance.

Say some Prayers, or do some other

pious Act, for your Penance, then

proceed thus :

UT since my unworthiness andmany imperfections most justly

discourage me from presuming


on my own performances, and the rich-

ness of thy mercy has provided for us

a multitude of acceptable intercessors

;

therefore I beseech the blessed Mary,ever Virgin, the blessed Michael the

Archangel, the blessed John Baptist,

the holy apostles Peter and Paul, andall the saints, to pray to the Lord our

God for me.

May Almighty God have mercy onme, and forgiving me my sins, bring

me to everlasting life. Amen.May the Almighty and merciful Lord

grant me pardon, absolution, and remis-

sion of all my sins. Amen.And now, most gracious and liberal

Benefactor, I praise and magnify thyholy name for thy great and innumera-

ble benefits, proceeding purely from thybounty, and intended wholly for mygood; particularly for preserving methis day in the midst of so many dan-

gers incident to my condition, and de-

livering me from so many calamities

and miseries as are due to my sins.

Thou art my Creator, my God, and


kind Protector ; thou art the ultimate

end of my being, and supreme perfec-

tion of my nature. Under the shadowof thy wings is perpetual repose, andfrom the light of thy countenance flow

eternal joy and felicity. To thee beglory and honor, to thee adoration andobedience, from all thy creatures forever.

Amen.And since thou hast ordained the day

to labor, and the night to take our rest,

as I praise thee for the blessings of this

day past, so I implore thy protection

this night to come. Let the eyes of

thy providence watch over me, and thy

holy angels pitch their tents about me

;

that being safely delivered from all dan-

gers, and comfortably refreshed with

moderate sleep, I may the better be en-

abled to perform the employments of

my calling and state of life, and faith-

fully persevere in the discharge of the

duties of thy service ; and so daily ad-

vance to new victories over my passions,

and to a more perfect observance of thy

commandments ; till having passed my


days in thy fear, I may end them in thy

favor, and rejoice with thee forever in

thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus

Christ our Lord and only Saviour, whowith thee and the Holy Ghost liveth

and reigneth, one God, world without

end. Amen.

An Act of Contrition.

DREAD Lord, andmost indulgentFather of mercies ! I a wretchedworm have sinned against heaven,

and before thee, and am no more wor-thy to be called thy servant, much less

to be accounted thy child, having repaid

so much bounty with contempt, and so

many benefits with ingratitude. Whereshall I find punishment enough to berevenged on me for my sins, or tears

enough to wash out my iniquities?

Alas ! I grieve not at those pains whichI have deserved for my rebellion; it

only pierces my very heart that I haveoffended a God who ought to be belovedand honored above all things. Whatshall I say, dear Lord, in detestation of

6*


the crimes I have committed ? Whatshall I do to preventmy future relapses ?

Father;from henceforth the face of sin

shall be more hideous to me than hell;

and the least temptation to it morefrightful than death. Forgive

;Al-

mighty Lord, forgive;and have not the

sins of my past life in remembrance.Why should the mighty Lord of heavenand earth be incensed against so poor,

so contemptible an object? Behold me,

God, not in thy anger, but according

to the tender bowels of thy infinite

mercy : for thou art our Father, andwe are thy children; thou art our

Maker, and we are as clay in thy hands

;

thou canst, with those waters drawnfrom the fountain of our blessed Saviour,

cleanse our pollutions ; and with the

mixture of one drop of his most precious

blood, mould us again into vessels of

honor. Of thee only, merciful Father,

1 beg and hope for pardon, upon thee

only do I call and depend for assistance

;

that I may hereafter constantly serve

thee with a true and faithful obedience,


and inseparably adhere to thee with a

pure and perfect love forever.

A Prayer for the Dead.

GK)D, the Creator and Redeemerof all the faithful, give to the

souls of thy servants departed

full remission of all their offences, that

through the help of pious supplications,

they may obtain the pardon of whichthey have been always desirous; wholivest and reignest, world without end.

Amen.V. Give them, Lord, eternal rest.

R. And let perpetual light shine uponthem.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.


The Hymn. Te lucis ante terminum.

EFORE the closing of the day,

Creator, we thee humbly pray,

That for thy wonted raercy;

s sake,

Thou us into protection take.

May nothing in our minds excite

Yain dreams and phantoms of the night

:

Keep off our enemy, that so

Our bodies no uncleanness know.To Jesus from a Virgin sprung,

Be glory given and praises sung;

The like to God the Father be,

And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.

Antiphon.

SAVE us, Lord, waking, and keepus, sleeping, that we may watchwith Christ, and rest in peace.

Amen.Preserve us as the apple of thine eye,

and protect us under the shadow of thywings. Vouchsafe, Lord, to keep us

this night without sin.

Have mercy on us, Lord, havemercy on us.


May thy mercy be upon us, Lord,

as we have put our trust in thee.

Lord, hear my prayer, and let mysupplication come unto thee.

Y this habitation, and repel from it

all snares of the enemy. Let thyholy angels dwell therein to preserve us

in peace, and may thy blessing be uponus forever, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Prayer.

e beseech thee, Lord,

Uttang of tfte JSIessetr Virgin.

Anthem.

E fly to thy patronage,

holy Mother of God; de-

spise not our petitions in our

pjl necessities, but deliver us from

( all dangers, ever glorious and

blessed Yirgin.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 71

Have mercy

l^BORD, have mercy upon us.

g|8 Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Havemercy upon us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy upon us.

God the Holy Ghostupon us.

Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercyupon us.

Holy Mary,Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of Virgins,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of divine grace,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Redeemer

CO

72 LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

-Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,Cause of our j 07,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Vessel of singular devotion.

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the weak,

Refuge of sinners,

Comfort of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of angels,

Queen of patriarchs,

Queen of prophets,


Queen of apostles.

Queen of martyrs,

Queen of confessors, \~ Pray for us !

Queen of virgins,

Queen of all saints,

Queen conceived without original sin,

Pray for us !

Lamb of God, w^ho takest away the

sins of the world, Spare us)

Lord !

Lamb of God, who takest away the

sins of the world, Hear us, Lord !


sins of the world, Have mercy uponus !

Anthem.

WE fly to thy patronage, holy

mother of God;despise not our

petitions in our necessities, but

deliver us from all dangers, ever glo-

rious and blessed Virgin.


God.



7


Let us Pray.

POUR forth, we beseech thee,

Lord ! thy grace into our hearts,

that we, to whom the incarnation

of Christ thy Son was made known bythe message of an angel, may, by his

passion and cross, be brought to the

glory of his resurrection : through the

same Christ our Lord. Amen.V. May the divine assistance always

remain with us.

R. Amen.V. And may the souls of the faithful

departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.

R. Amen.


To the Blessed Virgin Mary.

GLORIOUS Virgin Mary, I com-mit my soul and body to thyblessed trust this night and for-

ever, but more especially at the hourof my death. I recommend to thymerciful charity all my hopes, my con-

solation, my distress, and misery; mylife, and the end thereof : that throughthy most holy intercession, all myworks may be directed according to the

will of thy blessed Son. Amen.


A Prayer to your Guardian Angel.

ANGEL of God, to whose holy

care I am committed by the

supreme clemency, enlighten, de-

and protect me this night fromAmen.

fend

all sin and danger,

Tlie Blessing.

OGOD the Father bless me ; Jesus

Christ defend and keep me; the

virtue of the Holy Ghost enlight-

en and sanctify me this night and for-

ever. Amen.Into thy hands, Lord, I commend

my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.


When you go to Bed, say,

IN the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

crucified, I lay me down to rest!

bless me, Lord, defend and govern

me, and after this short and misera-

ble pilgrimage, bring me to everlasting

happiness. Amen.

A Prayer before going to Sleep.

OLORD Jesus Christ, whose unwea-ried eye neither slumbers nor

sleeps, but continually watches in

defence of thy servants, take me andmine, I beseech thee, into thy protec-

tion, and grant, that whilst my body is

asleep, my soul may be awake to thee,

and that I may hereafter behold thee

in that blessed and heavenly country,

where thou, with the Father and the

Holy Ghost, art eternally governor, andwhere all the Angels, with the blessed

saints, are citizens forever. Amen.N. B. When you are in bed, and

cannot sleep, employ your thoughts in

some spiritual exercise, or in saying the

beads, or some other prayers y or in7*


meditating on some passage of our Sa-viour's life and passion y particularly

how he spent that night wherein he wastaken in the garden y or else you maythink on the painful state of the souls

in hell or purgatory.

If you chance to awaken in the dead

of the night, forthwith imagine ivith

yourself that you are present among the

choirs of saints and angels, and tvith

sudden acclamation cry out with themin the tvords of the hymn, which they

incessantly sing, both day and night,

saying,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Saba-

oth, heaven and earth, are full of the

majesty of thy glory.

Or, Glory be to the Father, and to

the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now,

and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

Live, Jesus, live, and let it be,

My life fo die for love of thee.

psalms.

Anth. Remember not, Lord, our

offences, nor those of our parents

;

neither take thou vengeance of our

sins.

80 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.

Psalm vi.

^P^SK LORD, rebuke me not in

^7 indignation, nor chas-

fB^SSS^ tise me in thy wrath.

^^^m Have mercy on me,

wlF^ Lord, for I am weak : heal me,

MjjM Lord, for my bones are

troubled.

And my soul is troubled ex-

ceedingly ;but thou, Lord, how long ?

Turn to me, Lord, and deliver mysoul : save me for thy mercy's sake.

For there is no one in death that is

mindful of thee : and who shall confess

to thee in hell ?

I have labored in my groanings

;

every night will I wash my bed : I will

water my couch with my tears.

My eye is troubled through indigna-

tion : I have grown old amongst all myenemies.

Depart from me, all ye workers of

iniquity, for the Lord hath heard the

voice of my weeping.

The Lord hath heardmy supplication;

the Lord hath received my prayer.

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 81

Let all my enemies be ashamed, andbe very much troubled ; let them be

turned back and be ashamed very

speedily.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

Psalm xxxi.

BLESSED are they whose iniquities

are forgiven, and whose sins are

covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lordhath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit

there is no guile.

Because I was silent my bones grewold ; whilst I cried out all the day long.

For day and night thy hand washeavy upon me ; I am turned in myanguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.

I have acknowledged my sins to thee,

and my injustice I have not concealed.

I said I will confess against myselfmy injustice to the Lord ; and that thouhast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.

For this shall every one that is holy

pray to thee, in a seasonable time.


And yet in a flood of many waters,

they shall not come nigh unto him.

Thou art my refuge from the trouble

which hath encompassed me : my joy,

deliver me from them that surround me.

I will give thee understanding, and I

will instruct thee in the way in whichthou shalt go : I will fix my eyes uponthee.

Do not become like the horse and the

mule, who have no understanding.

With bit and bridle bind fast their

jaws, who come not near unto thee.

Many are the scourges of the sinner,

but mercy shall encompass him that

hopeth in the Lord.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, yejust : and glory, all ye right of heart.

G-lory be to the Father, &c.

Psalm xxxvii.

EBUKE me not, Lord, in thy in-

dignation, nor chastise me in thy

wrath.

For thy arrows are fastened in me,


and thy hand hath been strong uponme.

There is no health in my flesh, be-

cause of thy wrath : there is no peacefor my bones, because of my sins.

For my iniquities are gone over myhead; and, as a heavy burden, are be-

come heavy upon me.

My sores are putrified and corrupted,

because of my foolishness.

I am become miserable, and am bow-ed down even to the end: I walkedsorrowful all day long.

For my loins are filled with illusions

:

and there is no health in my flesh.

I am afflicted and humbled exceed-

ingly; I roared with the groaning of

my heart.

Lord, all my desire is before thee,

and my groaning is not hid from thee.

My heart is troubled, my strength

hath left me, and the light of my eyes

itself is not with me.

My friends and my neighbors havedrawn near and stood against me.And they that were near me stood


afar off: and they that sought my soul

used violence.

And they that sought evils to mespoke vain things, and studied deceits

all the day long.

But I. as a deaf man, heard not : andwas as a dumb man not opening his

mouth.And I became as a man that heareth

not : and that hath no reproofs in his

mouth.For in thee, Lord, have I hoped

:

thou wilt hear me, Lord my God.

For I said, lest at any time my ene-

mies rejoice over me, and whilst my feet

are moved, they speak great things

against me.

For I am ready for scourges, and mysorrow is continually before me.

For I will declare my iniquity : andI will think for my sin.

But my enemies live, and are stronger

than I : and they that hate me wrong-fully are multiplied.

They that render evil for good, have de-

tracted me, because I followed goodness,(j


Forsake me not, Lord my God : donot thou depart from me.

Attend unto my kelp, Lord, the

God of my salvation.


Psalm li.

HAVE mercy on me, God, accord-

ing to thy great mercy.

And according to the multitude

of thy tender mercies blot out. my in-

iquity.

• Wash me yet more from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my iniquity, and my sin

is always before me.

To thee only have I sinned, and havedone evil before thee : that thou mayestbe justified in thy words, and mayestovercome when thou art judged.

For behold I was conceived in iniqui-

ties : and in sins did my mother con-

ceive me.

For behold thou hast loved truth : the

uncertain and hidden things of thy wis-

dom thou hast made manifest to me.8


Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop,

and I shall be cleansed : thou shalt

wash me, and I shall be made whiterthan snow.

To my hearing thou shalt give joy andgladness ;

and the bones that have beenhumbled shall rejoice.

Turn away thy face from my sins, andblot out all my iniquities.

Create a clean heart in me, God : andrenew a right spirit within my bowels.

Cast me not away from thy face : andtake not thy holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salva-

tion, and strengthen me with a perfect

spirit.

I will teach the unjust thy ways : andthe wicked shall be converted to thee.

Deliver me from blood, God, thou

God of my salvation : and my tongue

shall extol thy justice.

Lord, thou wilt open my lips : andmy mouth shall declare thy praise.

For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I

would indeed have given it : with burnt-

offerings thou wilt not be delighted.


A sacrifice to God is an afflicted

spirit : a contrite and humbled heart,

God, thou wilt not despise.

Deal favorably, Lord, in thy goodwill with Sion : that the walls of Jerusa-

lem may be built up.

Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice

ofjustice, oblations and whole burnt-of-

ferings ; then shall they lay calves uponthy altars.


Psalm ci.

HEAR, Lord, my prayer, and let

my cry come to thee.

Turn not away thy face fromme : in the day when I am in trouble,

incline thy ear to me.

In what day soever I shall call uponthee, hear me speedily.

For my days are vanished like smoke

;

and my bones are grown dry, like fuel

for the fire.

I am smitten as grass, and my heart

is withered : because I forgot to eat mybread.


Through the voice of my groaning,

my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.

I am become like to a pelican of the

wilderness : I am like a night-raven in

the house.

I have watched, and am become as a

sparrow, all alone on the house-top.

All the day long my enemies re-

proached me : and they that praised

me did swear against me.

For I did eat ashes like bread, andmingled my drink with weeping.

Because of thy anger and indigna-

tion : for having lifted me up, thouhast thrown me down.My days have declined like a shadow,

and I am withered like grass.

But thou, Lord, endurest forever

:

and thy memorial to all generations.

Thou shalt arise and have mercy onSion, for it is time to have mercy on it,

for the time is come.

For the stones thereof have pleased

thy servants : and they shall have pity

on the earth thereof.

And the Gentiles shall fear thy name,


Lord : and all the kings of the earth

thy glory.

For the Lord hath built up Sion : andhe shall be seen in his glory.

He hath had regard to the prayer of

the humble : and he hath not despised

their petition.

Let these things be written unto

another generation; and the people

that shall be created shall praise the

Lord.

Because he hath looked forth from his

high sanctuary : from heaven the Lordhath looked upon the earth.

That he might hear the groans of

them that are in fetters : that he mightrelease the children of the slain.

That they may declare the name of

the Lord in Sion • and his praise in Je-

rusalem.

When the people assembled together,

and kings to serve the Lord.

He answered him in the way of his

strength : declare unto me the fewnessof my days.

Call me not away in the midst of my8*

90 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL, PSALMS.

days; thy years are unto generation

and generation.

In the beginning, Lord, thou found-

edst the earth : and the heavens are

the work of thy hands.

They shall perish, but thou remain-

est: and all of them shall grow old,

like a garment.

And as a vesture thou shalt changethem, and they shall be changed : but

thou art always the self-same, and thy

years shall not fail.

The children of thy servants shall

continue;and their seed shall be direct-

ed forever.



Psalm cxxix.

UT of the depths I have cried to

thee, Lord : Lord, hear myvoice.

Let thy ears be attentive to the voice

of nay supplication.

If thou, Lord, wilt mark iniquities,

Lord, who shall stand it ?

For with thee there is merciful for-

giveness : and by reason of thy law, I

have waited for thee, Lord.

My soul hath relied on his word : mysoul hath hoped in the Lord.


From the morning watch, even until

night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mer-cy, and with him plentiful redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all

his iniquities.


Psalm cxlii.

HEAR, Lord, my prayer : give

ear to my supplication in thy

truth : hear me in thy justice.

And enter not into judgment withthy servant : for in thy sight no manliving shall be justified.

For the enemy hath persecuted mysoul : he hath brought down my life to

the earth.

He hath made me to dwell in dark-

ness, as those that have been dead of

old : and my spirit is in anguish within

me : my heart within me is troubled.

I remembered the days of old: I

meditated on all thy works : I musedupon the works of thy hands.


I stretched forth my hands to thee

:

my soul is as earth without water unto

thee.

Hear me speedily, Lord : my spirit

hath fainted away.

Turn not away thy face from me, lest

I be like unto them that go down into

the pit.

Cause me to hear thy mercy in the

morning, for in thee have I hoped.

Make thy way known to me wherein

I should walk : for I have lifted up mysoul to thee.

Deliver me from my enemies, Lord,

to thee have I fled : teach me to do thywill, for thou art my God.

Thy good Spirit shall lead me into

the right land ; for thy name's sake,

Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy jus-

tice.

Thou wilt bring my soul out of trou-

ble : and in thy mercy thou wilt de-

stroy my enemies.

And thou wilt cut off all them that

afflict my soul : for I am thy servant.



Anth. Remember not, Lord, our

offences, nor those of our parents : nei-

ther take thou vengeance of our sins.

^ ÔBI), have mercy upon us.

Christy have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, hear us.


God, the Father of heaven,

Have mercy upon us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the

world, Have mercy upon us.

96 THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS.

God the Holy Ghost, Have mercyupon us.

Holy Trinity, one God;Have mercy

upon us.

Holy Mary,Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of virgins,

St. Michael,

St. Gabriel,

St. Raphael,

All ye holy Angels and Archangels,

All ye holy Orders ofblessed spirits,

St. John Baptist,

St. Joseph,

All ye holy Patriarchs and Pro-

phets,

All ye holy Apostles and Evange-lists,

St. Peter,

St. Paul,

St. Andrew,St. James,St. John,

St. Thomas,St. James,

St. Philip,

THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS.

St. Bartholomew,St. Matthew,St. Simon,

'St. Thaddeus,St. Matthias,

St. Barnaby,St. Luke,St. Mark,St. Martin,

St. Nicholas,

All ye holy disciples of our Lord,

All ye holy Innocents,

St. Stephen,

St. Lawrence,St. Vincent,

SS. Fabian and Sebastian,

SS. John and Paul,

SS. Cosmas and Damian,SS. Grervase and Protase,

All ye holy Martyrs,

St. Sylvester,

St. Gregory,

St. Ambrose,St. Augustin,

St. Jerom,St. Patrick,

9


3

All ye holy Bishops and Confessors,^

All ye holy Doctors,

St. Anthony,St. Bennet,

St. Bernard,

St. Dominic,

St. Francis,

All ye holy Priests and Levites,

All ye holy Monks and Hermits,

St. Mary Magdalen,St. Agatha,St. Lucy,St. Agnes,

St. Cecily,

St. Catherine,

St. Anastasia,

St. Bridget,

All ye holy Virgins and Widows,All ye Men and Women, Saints of God,

Make intercession for us.

Be merciful unto us, Spare us, Lord!Be merciful unto us, Graciously hear us

y

Lord! .

From all evil,

From all sin,

From thy wrath,

Lord, deliver us !

THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS.

From sudden and unprovided death.,

From the deceits of the devil,

From anger, hatred, and all ill-will,

From the spirit of fornication,

From lightning and tempfest,

From everlasting death,

Thro' the mystery of thy holy in-

carnation,

Thro' thy coming,

Thro' thy nativity,

Thro' thy baptism and holy fasting,

Thro' thy cross and passion,

Thro' thy death and burial,

Thro' thy holy resurrection,

Thro' thy admirable ascension,

Thro' the coming of the HolyGhost the Comforter,

In the day ofjudgment,We sinners, beseech thee to hear us.

That thou spare us,

That thou pardon us,

That thou vouchsafe to bring us to

true penance,

That thou vouchsafe to govern andpreserve thy holy Church,

That thou vouchsafe to preserve


our Apostolic Prelate, and alFecclesiastical orders in holy re-

ligion,

That thou vouchsafe to humble the

enemies of thy holy Church,

That thou vouchsafe to give peaceand true concord to Christian

kings and princes,

That thou vouchsafe to grant peace

and unity to all Christian people,

That thou vouchsafe to comfort

and keep us in thy holy service,

That thou lift up our minds to

heavenly desires,

That thou render eternal goodthings to our benefactors,

That thou deliver our souls andthose of our brethren, kinsfolk,

and benefactors, from eternal

damnation,

That thou vouchsafe to give and ]3re-

serve the fruits of the earth, We be-

seech Thee to hear us !

That thou vouchsafe to give eternal rest

to all the faithful departed, We be-

seech Thee to hear us !

THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 101

That thou vouchsafe graciously to hear

us. We beseech Thee to hear us f

Son of God, We beseech Thee to hear

us!Lamb of God, that takest away the sins

of the world, Spare us, Lord !

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins

of the world, Hear us, Lord !

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins

of the world, Have mercy upon us!

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously

hear us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord,

have mercy upon us. Our Father,

&c.

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Psalm lxix.

GOD, come to my assistance :

Lord, make haste to help me.Let them be confounded and

ashamed that seek my soul.

Let them be turned backward, andblush for shame, that desire evils to

me.9*


Let them presently be turned away,blushing for shame that say to me,

;

Tis

well, 'tis well.

Let all that seek thee rejoice and beglad in thee; and let such as love thysalvation say always, The Lord be mag-nified.

But I am needy and poor : God,help me.Thou art my helper and deliverer :

Lord, make no delay.


V. Save thy servants. R. Trusting

in thee, my God. V. Be unto us,

Lord, a tower of strength. R. Fromthe face of the enemy. V. Let not the

enemy prevail against us. R. Nor the

son of iniquity have power to hurt us.

V. Lord, deal not with us according

to our sins. R. Nor reward us accord-

ing to our iniquities.

V. Let us pray for our chief Bishop N.

R. May the Lord preserve him, andprolong his life, and make him blessed

on earth : and deliver him not to the

will of his enemies.


V. Let us pray for our benefactors.

R. Lord, for thy name's sake,

vouchsafe to render eternal life to all

those by whom we have received good.

V. Let us pray for the faithful de-

parted.

R. Eternal rest give to them, Lord

;

and let perpetual light shine unto them.

V. May they rest in peace. R.Amen.

V. For our absent brethren. R.my God, save thy servants trusting in

thee.

V. Send them help, Lord, fromthy holy place.

R. And from Sion protect them.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my supplication come to

thee.

Let us pray.

GOD, whose property it is al-

ways to have mercy, and to

spare, receive our petitions, that

we and all thy servants, who are boundby the chain of sin, may, by the com-


passion of thy goodness, mercifully beabsolved.

HEAR, we beseech thee, Lord,

the prayer of thy suppliants, andpardon the sins of them that con-

fess to thee, that, of thy bounty, thoumayest grant us pardon and peace.

OUT of thy clemency, Lord, showthy unspeakable mercy to us,

that so thou mayest both acquit

us of our sins, and deliver us from the

punishment we deserve for them.

OGOD, who by sin art offended,

and by penance pacified, merci-

fully regard the prayers of thy

people, who make supplication to thee,

and turn away the scourges of thy an-

ger, which we deserve for our sins.

O ALMIGHTY and eternal God,

have mercy on thy servant N.,

our chief bishop, and direct him,

according to thy clemency, in the way


of everlasting salvation; that by thy

grace he may desire such things as are

agreeable to thy will, and perforin themwith all his strength.

OGOD, from whom are all holy

desires, righteous counsels, andjust works; give to thy servants

that peace which the world cannot give

;

that our hearts being disposed to keepthy commandments, and the fear of en-

emies taken away, the times, throughthy protection, may be peaceable.

INFLAME, Lord,, our reins andhearts with the fire of thy HolySpirit; that we may serve thee with

a chaste body, and please thee with a

clean heart.

OGOD, the Creator and Redeemerof all the faithful, give to the

souls of thy servants departed

the remission of all their sins; that

through the help of pious supplications

they may obtain that pardon whichthey have always desired.

106 THE LITAXY OF THE SAIXTS.

PROMPT, we beseech thee, Lord,

our actions, by thy holy inspira-

tions, and carry them on by the

gracious assistance, that every prayerand work of ours may always beginfrom thee, and by thee be happily end-

ed.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God,who hast dominion over the liv-

ing and the dead, and art merci-

ful to all those whom thou foreknowestshall be thine by faith and woodworks:

ft Owe humbly beseech thee, that they for

whom we have purposed to offer our

prayers, whether this present world still

retains them in the flesh, or the next

hath already received them divested of

their bodies, may, by the intercession

of thy saints, and the clemency of thygoodness, obtain pardon and full remis-

sion of all their sins : through, &c.

R. Amen.V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my supplication comeunto thee.


V. May the Almighty and most mer-ciful Lord graciously hear us.

JR. Amen.V. May the souls of the faithful de-

parted, through the mercy of God, rest

in peace.

R. Amen.

WHICH MAY BE SAID AFTER THE LITANIES,

ACCORDING TO THE DIVERSITY OF TIMES

AND OCCASIONS.

A Prayer for God's holy Church.

ALMIGHTY and everlast-

ing G-od, who hast revealed

thy glory to all nations in

Christ, preserve the worksof thy mercy, that thy Church,

spread throughout the world,

may persevere with steadfast faith^°

in the confession of thy name

:

through, &c.

DEVOUT PRAYERS. 109

For the Chief Bishop.

GOD, the Pastor and Governorof all the faithful, mercifully re-

gard thy servant N., whom thouhast placed as chief Pastor over thyChurch; grant, we beseech thee, that

both by word and example he mayedify all those who are under his charge,

that, together with the flock committedto his care, he may arrive at life ever-

lasting : through our Lord, &c.

For all degrees of the Church.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God,by whose spirit the whole body of

the Church is sanctified and gov-

erned : hear, we beseech thee, our hum-

110 DEVOUT PRAYERS

ble supplications for all degrees thereof;

that by the assistance of thy grace,

they may faithfully serve thee : through,

&c.

A Prayer in any Necessity.

OGOD, our refuge and strength, the

fountain of all goodness, mercifully

hear the fervent prayers of thyChurch, and grant that what we askwith faith, we may effectually obtain:

through, &c.

Against the Persecutors of the Church.

ECEIVE, we beseech thee, Lord,

the prayers of thy Church, andmercifully appease thy wrath

against us; that all adversities anderrors being removed, we may serve

thee in secure liberty : through, &c.

A Prayer for the President of the

United States.

WE pray thee, God of might,

wisdom, and justice, through

whom authority is rightly ad-

ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. Ill

ministered, laws are enacted, and judg-

ment decreed, assist, with, thy HolySpirit of counsel and fortitude, the

President of these United States ; that

his administration may be conducted in

righteousness, and be eminently useful

to thy people over whom he presides

;

by encouraging due respect for virtue

and religion;by a faithful execution of

the laws in justice and mercy ; and byrestraining vice and immorality.

A Prayer for the Afflicted.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting

God, the Comforter of the sor-

rowful, and the support of those

who are afflicted;give ear to the prayers

ofsuch as call on thee in their tribulation

;

that finding thy mercy present with

112 DEVOUT PRAYERS

them in their necessities, their mourn-ing may be turned into joy : through,

&c.

For Heretics and Schismatics.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God,who savest all, and wouldst not

that any should perish : favorably

look down upon those souls which are

seduced by the deceit of Satan; that

all heretical impiety being removed,

the hearts of such as err may repent,

and return to the unity of thy truth

:

through, &c.

For the unfaithful Jews.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God,who repellest not from thy mercyeven the perfidious Jews: hear

the prayer, which we offer for the blind-

ness of that people ; that the light of

thy truth, Christ our Lord, being knownto them, they may be delivered fromtheir darkness : through, &c.

ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. 113

For Pagans.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God,

who desirest not the death, but

the life of sinners : mercifully ac-

cept our prayers, and delivering pagansfrom the worship of idols, unite themto thy Church, to the praise and honorof thy glorious name : through, &c.

OGIOD, who puttest an end to

wars, and, by the power of thyprotection, vanquishest the op-

posers of such as trust in thee, help

thy servants, who earnestly crave thymercy ; that the evil designs of our ene-

mies being defeated, we may praise thee

with incessant gratitude : through, &c.

In time of Famine and Pestilence.

RANT us, we beseech thee,

and mercifully turn away fromthy servants all pestilence and famine;

In time of War.

effect of our prayer,

114 DEVOUT PRAYERS

that the hearts of men may know that

such scourges proceed from thy indig-

nation, and cease by thy mercy : through,

&c.

A Prayer for Rain.

OGOD, in whom we live, andmove, and have our being, grant

us, we beseech thee, competentrain; that partaking of thy temporal

blessings, we may the more confidently

desire those which are eternal : through,

&c.

For Fair Weather.

HEAR our supplications, Lord,

and vouchsafe to thy servants

the blessing of fair weather; that

we, who are justly afflicted for our sins,

may find relief in thy clemency:

through, &c.

In any Tribulation.

ALMIGHTY God, despise not

thy people who call upon thee in

their afflictions ; but for the glory


of thy name forgive them their sins,

and deliver them from all sorrow:

through, &c.

For Remission of Sins.

OGOD, .who rejectest none, but

art pacified by penance even to-

wards the greatest offenders,

mercifully regard the prayers of thy

servants, that through thy mercy wemay obtain the pardon of our sins, andbe enabled to fulfil thy commandments

:

through, &c.

Against Temptations.

OGOD, who justifiest the wickedthat repent, and desirest not the

death of a sinner ; we humbly be-

seech thy majesty to defend thy ser-

vants with thy heavenly grace, whotrust in thy mercy, and preserve themby thy continual protection, that theymay persevere in thy service, and byno temptations be ever separated fromthee: through, &c.

116 DEVOUT PRAYERS

For such as are on a Journey.

^•gEARKEN to our supplica-

llyfc tions, Lord, and render

ia^Q tlie way of thy servants

prosperous and safe : grant

that amidst all the varieties

of this journey and their

whole life, they may always be

protected by thy assistance

:

through, &c.

A Prayer for the Sick.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, the

perpetual salvation of them that

believe, hear us for thy sick ser-

vants, for whom we humbly crave the


help of thy mercy, that their health

being restored to them, they may ren-

der thanks to thee in thy Church:

through, &c.

A Prayer for the Living.

EXTEND unto thy faithful, Lord,

the right hand of thy heavenly

succor, that they may seek thee

with all their hearts, and obtain of thymercy whatever is necessary to their

condition : through, &c.

A Prayerfor our Friends.

OGOD, who hast poured the gift of

charity, by the grace of the HolyGhost, into the hearts ofthe faith-

ful : grant to thy servants (here namethose you pray for), for whom we im-

plore thy mercy, health of mind andbody; that loving thee with all their

strength, they may accomplish those

things which are pleasing to thee:

through, &c.

118 DEVOUT PRAYERS

Prayers to beg the Grace of the HolyGhost.

The Hymn, Veni, Sanete Spiritus.

|g||OME, Holy Ghost, send downthose beams

Which sweetly flow in silent

streams,

From thy bright throne

above

:

come, thou Father of the poor,

Thou bounteous source of all our

store,

Come, fire our hearts with love.

Come, thou of comforters the best,

Come, thou the souPs delicious guest,

The pilgrim's sweet relief

;

TO THE HOLY GHOST. 119

Thou art our rest, in toil and sweat,

Refreshment in excessive heat,

And comfort in our grief.

sacred Light, shoot home thy darts,

pierce the centre of those hearts

Whose faith aspires to thee

:

Without thy Godhead, nothing can

Have any worth, or price in man,Nothing can harmless be.

Lord, wash our sinful stains away,Water from heaven our barren clay,

Our wounds and bruises heal

:

To thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow,Warm with thy fire our hearts of snow,

Our wandering feet repel.

grant thy faithful, dearest Lord,

Whose only hope is thy sure word, .

The seven gifts of thy Spirit

:

Grant us in life obey thy grace;

Grant us in death to see thy face,

And endless joys inherit. Amen.V. Send forth thy Spirit, and they

shall be created.

R. And thou shalt renew the face of

the earth.


120 DEVOUT PRAYERS


thee

Let us pray.

OGOD, who, by the light of the

Holy Ghost, hast instructed the

hearts of the faithful : grant that

by the same Spirit, we may have a right

understanding in all things, and ever-

more rejoice in his holy consolation

:

through, &c. Amen.

OGOD, to whom every heart is

open, every will declares itself,

and from whom no secret lies con-

cealed, purify, by the inspiration of the

Holy Ghost, the thoughts of our hearts

;

that we may perfectly love thee, andworthily praise thee : through, &c.

For our Enemies.

OGOD, the lover of peace andpreserver of charity, give peace

and true charity to all our enemies

;

grant them remission of their sins,

and deliver us from their deceits:

through, &c.

FOR PATIENCE, ETC. 121

Against wicked Thoughts.

ALMIGHTY and most gracious

God, mercifully regard our prayers,

and deliver our hearts from the

temptations of evil thoughts ; that our

souls may be made worthy habitations

for the Holy Ghost : through, &c.

For Charity.

OGOD, who makest all things bene-

ficial to them that love thee, in-

fuse into our hearts an inviolable

love of thy charity : that such desires

as we conceive by thy holy inspiration

may by no temptation be ever changed

:

through, &c.

For Patience.

OGOD, who by the humility of thyonly-begotten Son hast confoundedthe pride of the old enemy : grant,

we beseech thee, that we may often call

to mind what he meekly suffered for us,

and by his example patiently endure all

adversities: through, &c.

122 DEVOUT PRAYERS

For the holy Catholic Church.

DEFEND, Lord, thy servants, wehumbly beseech thee, from all

dangers ofbody and soul: and bythe prayers of the glorious Virgin Mary,of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, of

blessed N. and all thy saints, grant us

the mercies of peace and safety, that all

adversities and errors being removed,thy Church may serve thee in secure

liberty: through, &c.

A Prayerfor Special Friends.

PRESERVE, Lord, thy servants,

N. N., for whose health, happiness,

and prosperity we humbly offer upthese our petitions to thy sacred Majes-

ty; beseeching thee to grant them a

persevering constancy in the Catholic

faith, a safe passage through this life's

dangerous pilgrimage ; that no worldly,

carnal, or diabolical temptation mayhave the power to separate them fromthee, their prime and only good. Give

them grace to correspond to that state

FOR A FRIEND IX TRIBULATION. 123

and condition of life wherein thou hast

placed them ; direct them in all their

ways, defend them against all their en-

emies, and grant them finally a happydeath and departure out of this world,

and a speedy passage after death to the

fruition of thy eternal felicity.

'

For a Friend in Tribulation.

"Y VOUCHSAFE, merciful Creator !

\ to afford the sweetness ofthy com-forts to thy afflicted servant N.,

and to remove, according to thy accus-

tomed mercy, the heavy burden of his

calamities. Give him, we humbly be-

seech thee, patience in his sufferings,

resignation to thy good pleasure, per-

severance in thy service, and a happytranslation from this afflicting life to

thy eternal felicity.

124 DEVOUT PRAYERS

A Prayer for all those who are engagedin the Employment or Service ofOthers.

thee, God, I offer myself, withall my labors of this day, andmost humbly beg thy blessing to

accompany me in all my undertakings,

that whatever I do or suffer, may bewith the patience of an humble, penitent,

and sincere desire of faithfully discharg-

ing my duty to thee, whom I desire to

serve, in every thing belonging to mycharge, without loss of time, neglect,

omission, or waste of what is commit-ted to me.

I beseech thee likewise to grant methe spirit of obedience, humility, andmeekness, that I may cheerfully comply

FOR THOSE IN SERVICE. 125

with all lawful commands, without gain-

saying, murmuring, or disrespect. MayI never offend in word or action, or

connive with others in what is evil

:

may I never give bad example, nor yield

to others in whatever is injurious to mysuperiors, or displeasing to thee : mayI live in peace with every one, give noprovoking language, make no parties,

carry no false or exaggerated stories

;

and if provocations are offered, may I

suppress all passion, be moderate in myanswers, and return good for evil.

In these and all my other duties as-

sist me, God, and help me to over-

come all my usual weakness. May I

ever continue under thy protection, andzealously walk in the paths of thy com-mandments, by avoiding evil, and doing

good. To thee I consecrate all my la-

bors, and beg thy blessing to attend mein all I shall do this day and ever-

more.

126 DEVOUT PRAYERS

For the Master and Mistress of a

Family.

MERCIFUL God, I implore thygrace for my direction and help,

in the execution of every thing

thou hast committed to my charge.

Grant me discretion, that I may discov-

er in all things what is best to be done,

that I may manage them according to

the obligations thou hast laid upon me.Make me faithful in taking care of what,

under thee, I have in charge, thatnothing

may suffer through my neglect, idleness,

prodigality, or ill management. Letnot passion have any influence on mywords or actions, that I may reprove

without anger, command without im-

periousness, require service without

cruelty, have compassion on such fail-

ings as proceed rather from weaknessthan neglect, and show a tenderness to-

wards all under my charge, as knowingthat both they and I serve one master

in heaven, who, without respect to per-

sons, will call us all to an equal account.

FOR MASTERS AND MISTRESSES. 127

Lord, let me never want thy grace

to suppress every inclination that leads

me from my duty. Let no kind of ex-

travagance, excess, or disorder find en-

couragement in my house. Make me a

zealous observer of good discipline, andwatchful against all undue liberties.

Suffer me not to be unjust to any one,

nor connive at what ought to be repro-

ved. Take from me all immoderatesolicitude, and let no excess of worldly

care withdraw my heart from the im-

portant concern of eternity. May mychief solicitude be, how to regulate all

my concerns to thy honor and glory.

I crave thy blessing this day and for-

ever, on all I am to do or suffer, andhumbly offer myself, and all I possess,

to thy glory. Help me, my God,according to my necessities, now andforever. Amen.

DEVOUT PRAYERS

For Parents.

^fS SSIST me, heavenly Fa-ther, in dischargingmy dutyto my children. Endue me

w with true Christian wisdom,

to discern what to grant, andwhat to deny. Let neither

passion, ill-humor, nor fond-

FOR PARENTS. 129

ness make me yield to them in anything that may be prejudicial to either

soul or body. Enable me always to

give them good example ; to preserve

them from bad company, or from hear-

ing or doing what may induce them to

commit evil; and whenever they do

amiss, prompt me to give them timely

correction, more out of love than frompassion. Deliver me from all mannerof prodigality—intemperance—idleness

—vanity—neglect, or ill management,that may prevent me from providing

for their comfortable subsistence in this

life, as also from preparing them for

happiness hereafter, by being over-

solicitous to make them great in this

world.

Direct me, God, in every particu-

lar that can contribute to their Chris-

tian education, and enable me to re-

! move from them whatever may do themhurt. Deliver me from all indiscreet

partialities—froni discouraging them

—

or showing any unreasonable uneasi-

ness, which may force them upon rash

i

DEVOUT PRAYERS

methods for the remedy of the trouble

they find at home. Be thou a father

to them, and supply, by thy goodness,

whatever is wanting in me. Preservethem from the corruption of the world,

from sin, and all evil, and excite themto all good. Deliver them from the ef-

fects of a vain and inconstant mind, andmake them thy faithful servants here,

that they may come at length to that

happiness which Christ has purchasedfor them. Amen.

For Children under Parents' Care.

\y mandest us to love, obey, respect,

and honor our parents, grant that

I may always comply with this thy com-mand, by being ever faithful in the per-

formance of all it enjoins, and in never

doing any thing contrary thereunto.

May I ever deny myself, in all lawful

things, to please my parents ; and obeythem in whatever they can justly re- /

quire or expect from me. Let me never

contradict them, nor so dispute against

FOR CHILDREN UNDER PARENTS. 131

their proposals as to make them uneasy.

May I always consult them in all that

concerns them or myself. May I ever

be deaf to those who suggest the de-

spising or neglecting of my parents'

advice. May I never afflict them byfollowing bad counsel, wicked company,or any evil ways. May I always study

to be their comfort, in recompense for

all the care;trouble, and love they have

had for me. May I never show impa-tience at their infirmities, much less

<' mock at any weakness to which theyare subject.

Direct me, my God, in every thing

i relating to my duty, and suffer nochange of circumstances to withdrawme from it. May I in no lawful con-

cern whatever offend my parents onearth, or displease thee, my Father, whoart in heaven.

I A Prayer for Scholars before Study.

; f\ INCOMPREHENSIBLE Creator,

V/ the true fountain of light, and only

author of all knowledge;who, out

132 DEVOUT PRAYERS

of the treasure of thy wisdom, hast,

with wonderful harmony, disposed andordered all the parts of the universe

:

vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to enlighten

my understanding with the rays of thywisdom, and to expel from it all dark-

ness of sin and ignorance. Thou whomakest eloquent the tongues of those

that want utterance, instruct my tongue,

and pour on my lips the grace of thyblessing. Give me a diligent and obe-

dient spirit, quickness of apprehend-ing, capacity of retaining, and the con-

tinual assistance of thy holy grace, that

I may apply all my studies to thy honor,

and the everlasting salvation of my ownsoul, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR A WOMAN WITH CHILD. 133

A Prayer which may be daily said by

a Woman with Child.

LORD God, Almighty Creator

of heaven and earth, who hast

made us all out of nothing, andredeemed us by the precious blood of

thy only Son : look down upon thy poorhandmaid here prostrate before thee,

humbly imploring thy mercy, and beg-

ging thy blessing for herself and her

child, which thou hast given her to con-

ceive. Preserve, I beseech thee, the

work of thy hands, and defend both meand the tender fruit of my womb fromall perils and all evils

;grant me in due

134 DEVOUT PRAYERS

time a happy delivery, and bring mychild safe to the font of baptism, that

it may be there happily dedicated to

thee, to love and serve thee faithfully

forever. But, my God, I have too

much reason to fear lest my great andmanifold sins should hinder thee fromhearing my prayers, and draw down thyjudgment on me and mine, instead ofthy mercies, which I sue for. Andtherefore I am sensible the first thing I

ought to do is, to repent from the bot-

tom of my heart for all my offences,

humbly confessing them, and contin-

ually to cry to thee for mercy. I de-

test then all my sins with my wholeheart, and desire to lay them down here

at thy feet, to be effaced and destroyed

forever. I renounce and abhor themwith my whole soul, because they are

infinitely odious to thee, and wish I

could expiate them with tears of blood

:

I humbly beg thy pardon for them all,

and wish with all my heart I had never

committed them: I here offer myself

to make what satisfaction for them I am

FOR A WOMAN WITH CHILD. 135

able; and most willingly accept of what-

ever I may have to suffer in child-bear-

ing, and offer it up now beforehand to

thee for my sins, firmly resolving bythy grace, never wilfully to offend thee

more. Behold here my poor heart,

Lord, and if it is not, at least I desire it

should be, that contrite and humbleheart which thou never despisest. In

this disposition of soul, and with a lively

confidence in thy mercies, and in the

merits of the death and passion of Jesus

Christ thy Son, I renew the petition I

made before, and once more beg, for

myself, thy grace, protection, and a

happy delivery ; and for my child, that

thou woulclst be pleased to preserve it

for baptism, sanctify it for thyself, andmake it thine forever : through, &c.

Amen.

136 DEVOUT PRAYERS

For a Husband or Wife.

GOD, who hast ordained the holystate ofmatrimony, wherein I amengaged, grant me grace to com-

ply with all its obligations, and to per-

form them in such a manner as is be-

coming a Christian, not an unbeliever.

Preserve my love undefiled, accord-

ing to thy divine command, and let the

duty of love help to conduct me with

comfort through all the obligations anddifficulties of my state. Grant me dis-

cretion to manage all circumstances for

the best, a true love for peace, and such

FOR A HUSBAND OR WIFE. 137

a discreet compliance as to resign myown thoughts and inclinations for pre-

serving it. Inspire me with true hu-

mility and patience, that I may submit

to and bear with all crosses in the man-ner thy apostle requires. Furnish mewith all other helps, that whatever dif-

ficulties may occur, I may persevere

with cheerfulness in discharging the

duties of my state, and never yield so

far to any weakness, ill-humor, or impa-tience, as to weaken, much less to breakthe bond which thou hast sanctified,

and which cannot be dissolved but bydeath. May I always be faithful andindefatigable in the discharge of the

duties of my state, doing and suffering

whatever falls to my lot, with such ab-

solute submission to thy will, that bothin peace and trouble, in prosperity andadversity, I may ever remember to re-

sign myself cheerfully, God, to thypleasure or permission ; and under all

difficulties, still labor to work out mysalvation.

138 DEVOUT PRAYERS

For Widows.

OGOD, the disposer of all things,

who hast been pleased to bring

me into this state, grant me the

grace to bear all its troubles with pa-

tience, and to make use of all its advan-tages with Christian prudence ; to be a

widow indeed; to despise all earthly com-forts

; to place my whole trust in thee,

and to improve the opportunity offered

for securing to myself a happy eternity.

Teach me, Lord, to make the best

use of the liberty thou hast given me,and as long as I shall abide here in this

pilgrimage, give me grace to employmy time in such exercises of piety, char

ity, and solid devotion, as may secure

thy mercy to me, and effectually con-

duct me to the possession of that happi-

ness which I desire.

May I ever despise the vanities of

the world, and make some recompensefor my past sins, follies, and extrava-

gances. May I now spend as manyhours in prayer and good works as I

have misspent in vanity, idleness, or

FOR WIDOWS. 139

dangerous entertainments. May I en-

deavor by charity to make amends for

all that I have sinfully, idly, or prodi-

gally misspent, and thus recover what-ever prejudice my soul has suffered

through my fault. May I ever study

to improve my present circumstances

in order to obtain eternal life. May myloss turn to my advantage, and underthy protection, God, may I find

greater comforts than what the worldcan afford. Assist me, my God, andlet thy grace support me under all myweaknesses.

140 DEVOUT PRAYERS

BLESSED Redeemer, who bothby thyself and thy apostle, hast

recommended a single life as the

most proper state to serve thee in, with-

out distraction, assist me by thy holy

grace, that I may duly consider the

advantages of it and make a right use

of them, so as to find the good effect in

my soul, for which the apostle gives it

the preference to other states.

May I always rejoice under thy bles-

sings, and being at liberty from those

engagements which are attended with

FOR THOSE IN SINGLE LIFE. 141

endless solicitudes, and enslave the

minds of men to the earth, may I avail

myself of this my privilege in seeking

and serving thee with greater freedomof spirit, having thee now for myspouse.

May I not be like one of the foolish

virgins, but with the wise wait in readi-

ness for thy coming. May I leave all

for thee. May I love thee with mywhole heart, desire thee with all mysoul, adore thee with all my mind, andserve thee with all my strength : that I

may thus become holy both in body andspirit. Support me under all my weak-nesses

;and defend me against all the

snares, both of the devil, of the world,

and of my own corruption. Take fromme all affection for whatever flatters

the senses, and let me admire nothing

that is vain and empty. Inspire mewith a dread of all that is dangerous,

and let the great and prevailing object

of my love, affections, and desires,

centre in thee alone;

that, having fin-

ished my life here, in imitation of thee,

142 DEVOUT PRAYERS.

I may wait on thee forever, in the joys

of thy kingdom. Amen.

For the Rich.

MOST bountiful Lord, I return thee

thanks for whatever I possess, andbeg thy grace to make good use

of whatever plenty, through thy mercy,I enjoy. May I always so govern my-self, as to spend nothing in favor of anyvicious or sinful inclination. May I bedeaf to all expensive demands of vanity,

gaming, appetite, and idleness, and puta stop to all those ways by which I havehitherto misspent what thou hast in-

trusted me with, and thereby often mostungratefully offended thy divine good-

ness.

I confess my past ingratitude, injus-

tice, and impiety, in the abuse of thy

favors and gifts, and earnestly beg par-

don of thee, Lord, for the same, andgrace henceforward to do all thou re-

quires! To feed the hungry, to clothe

the naked, &c, with the overplus of the

FOR THE RICH. 143

decent support of myself and of those

under me ; to lay up for myself a trea-

sure in heaven, lest, like the rich manin the gospel, I suffer eternally in hell,

for having so much indulged my pas-

sions, and applied thy favors to the ser-

vice of idleness, vanity, and sin.

It is through thy great mercy, myGod, that I yet live, when thou mightest

have cast me into endless flames. Thousparest me, that I may make someamends for all the abuses of the goodsthou hast so liberally bestowed on me.

May I neither hereafter hoard up riches

unnecessarily, nor spend them unprof-

itably. May I only make use of themfor promoting thy honor and glory

here, the relief of the poor, and for

providing such necessaries as thou al-

lowest. May I pay no regard to whatthe world applauds or censures, butonly endeavor to please thee in a just

disposal of what thou hast committedto my care, as being not the master butthe steward thereof, and accountable to

thee, my God, the giver of whatever

144 PRAYERS BEFORE MASS.

I possess. Assist me herein, God,

and let not riches, nor the evils that

they lead to, but thyself alone, be the

desire of my heart.

Prayers before Mass.THE ACTS OF FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY AS IN

PAGE 29.

MERCIFUL Father, who didst

so love the world as to give up for

our redemption thy beloved Son

;

who in obedience to thee, and for us sin-

ners, humbled himself even unto the

death of the Cross, and continues to

offer himself daily, by the ministry of

his priests, for the living and the dead—we humbly beseech thee, that, pene-

trated with a lively faith, we may alwaysassist with the utmost devotion and rev-

erence, at the oblation of his most pre-

cious body and blood which is made at

.Mass : and thereby be made partakers

of the sacrifice which he consummatedon Calvary.

In union with thy holy Church andits minister, and invoking the blessed

A PRAYER BEFORE MASS. 145

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and all

the angels and saints, we now offer the

adorable sacrifice of the Mass to thy

honor and glory, to acknowledge thy

infinite perfections, thy supreme domin-

ion over all thy creatures, our entire

subjection to thee, and total dependenceon thy gracious providence, and in

thanksgiving for all thy benefits ; andfor the remission of our sins.

We offer it for the propagation of the

Catholic faith, for our most holy Father

the Pope, for our archbishop ( or bishop),

and for all the pastors and clergy of thyholy Church, that they may direct the

faithful in the way of salvation, for the

President, and all that are in highstation, that we may lead quiet andholy lives—for peace and good-will

among all states and people—for the

necessities ofmankind—and particularly

for the congregation here present : to

obtain all blessings we stand in needof in this life, everlasting happiness in

the next—and eternal rest to the faith-

ful departed.

146 A PRAYER BEFORE MASS.

And as Jesus Christ so ordained;

when he instituted at his last supperthis ivonderful mystery of his power,wisdom, and goodness: we offer thee

this Mass, in grateful remembranceof all he has done and suffered for the

love of us, making special commemo-ration of his bitter passion and death,

and of his glorious Resurrection andAscension into Heaven. Vouchsafe,

Almighty and eternal God (for to

thee alone so great a sacrifice is due),

graciously to accept it, for these andall other purposes, agreeably to thy

holy will. And to render it the morepleasing, we offer it to thee, through

the same Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son,

our Lord and Saviour, our high Priest

and victim; and in the name of the

most holy Trinity, the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Ghost; to whom be hon-

or, praise, and glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Praser* at

148 PRAYERS AT MASS.

Making the sign of the Cross with

the Priest, say,

^ N the name of the Fa-

ther, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.I will draw near to thy

altar, my God, there to

gain new strength and vigor to

my soul;separate me from those

unbelievers who have no trust in

thee ; assist me with thy grace,

that grace which comforts mewhen the remembrance of mysins afflicts and casts me down

;

that grace which lets me knowthere is an everlasting refuge in

thy goodness, and that thou art

ready to forgive even our great-

PRAYERS AT MASS. 149

est sins upon a sincere repent-

ance.

The Priest bowing down, says

the Oonfiteor before he goes

up to the altar : say it with himas follows:

T CONFESS to Almighty God,

to the blessed Mary ever Vir-

gin, to blessed Michael the Arch-

angel, to blessed John the Bap-tist, the holy apostles Peter andPaul, to all the saints, and to you,

Father, that I have very muchsinned in thought, word and deed,

through my fault, through myfault, through my most grievous

fault. Therefore I beseech the

blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed

Michael the archangel, blessed


John the Baptist, the holy apos-

tles Peter and Paul, and all the

saints, and you, Father, to pray

to our Lord God for me.

As the Ps. Judica me, the Gloria

in excelsis and Creed are omit-

ted in Masses for the Dead,

&c, you also may pass them

over.

After the Confiteor, say,

OMY God, who hast com-manded us to pray for one

another, and in thy holy Church

hast given, even to sinners, the

power of absolving from sin, re-

ceive with equal bounty the pray-

ers of thy people for the priest,

and those of the priest for thy

people.


We beseech thee, Lord, bythe merits of those saints whoserelics are here, and of all the

saints, that thou wouldst vouch-

safe to forgive me all my sins.

Amen.

When the Priest goes first to the

Book, and says the part of the

Mass called the Introit, say,

GRANT, Lord, we may betruly prepared for the offer-

ing of this great sacrifice to thee

this day ; and because our sins

alone can render us displeasing

to thee, therefore we call aloud

to thee for mercy.

At the Kyrie eleison, say,

HAYE mercy on me, Lord,

and forgive me all my sins.


Have mercy on me, Lord,

have mercy on me.

At the Gloria in excelsis, say,

JLORY be to God on

H| high, and peace onearth to men of good

|? will. We praise thee;

we bless thee; we adore

thee; we glorify thee; wegive thee thanks for thy great

glory, Lord God, HeavenlyKing, God the Father Almighty,

Lord Jesus Christ, the only-be-

PRATEKS AT MASS. 153

gotten Son. Lord God, Lambof God, Son of the Father, whotakest away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us : who takest

away the sins of the world, re-

ceive our prayers : who sittest at

the right hand of the Father, have

mercy on us. For thou only art

holy, thou only art the Lord, thou

only, Jesus Christ, together

with the Holy Ghost, art mosthigh in the glory of God the Fa-

ther. Amen.

When the Priest turns to the

People, and says, Dominusvobiscum, say,

BE thou always with us, myGod, and let thy grace never

depart from us.


Whilst he reads the Collects, say,

LMIGHTY and eternal God,we humbly beseech thee

mercifully to give ear to the pray-

ers of thy servant, which he of-

fers thee in the name of thy

Church, and in behalf of us thy

people : accept them to the hon-

or of thy name, and good of our

souls; and grant us all those

blessings which may any wayscontribute to our salvation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

At the Epistle, say,

BE Thou, Lord, eternally

praised and blessed, for hav-

ing communicated to the holy

prophets and apostles thy Spirit,


disclosing to them admirable

secrets, redounding to thy glory

and our great good. We firm-

ly believe their word, because it

is thine. Give us, we beseech

thee, the happiness to under-

stand from the Church, by then

instructions, what is profitable,

and grace to practise the sameall our lives.

When he reads the Gradual,

say,

HOW wonderful, Lord, is

thy name through the

whole earth! I will bless our

Lord at all times : his praise shall

be ever in my mouth. Be thoumy God and my Protector: in

thee alone will I put my trust,

156 PKATERS AT MASS.

let me not be confounded for-

ever.

At the Gospel, when the Peoplerise up, say,

MAYEST thou be ever ado-

red and praised, Lord,

who, not content to instruct andinform us by thy prophets andapostles, hast even vouchsafed

to speak to us by thy only Sonour Saviour Jesus Christ, com-manding us by a voice from

heaven to hear him; grant us,

merciful God, the grace to profit

by his divine and heavenly doc-

trine. All that is written of

thee, dread Jesus, in thy gospel,

is truth itself : nothing but wis-

dom in thy actions;power and


goodness in thy miracles; light

and instruction in thy words.

With thee, sacred Redeemer, are

the words of eternal life : to

whom shall we go, but to thee,

eternal Fountain of Truth ? Give

me, God, grace to practise

what thou commandest, andcommand what hou pleasest.

At the Credo, or Mcene Creed.

say,

T BELIEVE, Lord, all thouJ- hast taught me by thy holy

Church : in this faith, by the as-

sistance of thy grace, I desire

to live and die : by thy divine

grace, I am convinced of the

sincerity and wisdom of those

who have delivered these sacred


truths to me. Their miraculous

success is a sufficient proof.

Where shall I go, my Lord?Thou hast the words of eternal

life. Of thy truth thus deliver-

ed, my reason and will shall nev-

er doubt, though my senses andvain imaginations should. I be-

lieve, Lord, help my unbelief.

When, at the Offertory, he un-

covers the Chalice, say,

ACCEPT, holy Father, al-

mighty and eternal God,this unspotted Host, which I, thy

unworthy servant, offer thee, myliving and true God, for my in-

numerable sins, offences, andnegligences, and for all here

present, and for all faithful Chris-


tians, living and dead, that it

may avail me and them to life

everlasting. Amen.

At the Offering of the Chalice,

say,

WE offer thee, Lord, the

Chalice of salvation, be-

seeching thy clemency, that it

may ascend before thy divine

Majesty, as a sweet perfume, for

our salvation, and for that of the

whole world.

Accept us, Lord, in the spi-

rit of humility and a contrite

heart: and grant that the sacri-

fice which we offer this day in

thy sight, may be pleasing to

thee, Lord God.

160 PKAYERS AT MASS.

When he washes his Fingers at

the Corner of the Altar, say,

HO II, Lord, who once

vouchsafedst to wash thy

disciples' feet before then invita-

tion to thy holy table, wash us

also, we beseech thee, Lord,

and wash us again : not only our

feet and hands, but our hearts,

our desires, our souls, that wemay be wholly innocent andpure.


Go on, and pray.

RECEIVE, holy Trinity, this

oblation we make thee, in

memory of the passion, resurrec-

tion, and ascension of our LordJesus Christ, and in honor of the

ever-blessed Mary ever Yirgin;

of blessed John the Baptist ; of

the holy apostles Peter and Paul:

of these, and of all the saints; that

it may be available to their hon-

or and our salvation. And maythey vouchsafe to intercede for

us in heaven, whose memory wecelebrate on earth. Through the

same Christ our Lord. Amen.


At the Orate Fratres, say,

MAY our Lord receive this

sacrifice from thy hands, to

the praise and glory of his name,for our good, and the benefit of

his whole Church.

Or whilst he reads the secret

Prayers proper for the Day, in

a low voice, say,

MERCIFULLY hear our pray-

ers, Lord, and graciously

accept this oblation, which wethy servants are making to thee

;

that as we offer it to the honor

ot thy name, so it may be to us

a means of obtaining thy grace

here, and in the next life, ever-

lasting happiness. Amen.

PRATERS AT MASS. 163

When the Priest says in a budvoice, Per omnia ssecula ssecu-

lorum, say,

IT is truly meet and just, righj;

and available to salvation,

that we always, and in all places,

give thanks to thee, holy Lord,

Father Almighty, eternal God,

through Christ our Lord; bywhom the angels praise thy Ma-

,

jesty, the dominations adore it,

the powers tremble before it, the

heavens and heavenly virtues,

and blessed seraphim with com-mon jubilee glorify it

;together

with whom we beseech thee, that

we may be admitted to join our

voices, saying in an humble man-ner,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of


Sabaoth, heaven and earth are

full of thy glory. Hosanna in

the highest. Blessed is he that

cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

PEAYERS AT MASS. 165

What follows is called the Canonof the Mass

;say then,

OST merciful Father, whohast given us thy only Son

to be our daily sacrifice, incline

thine ears to our prayers, and

favor our desires;protect, unite,

and govern thy whole Church

throughout the world, pour forth

thy blessing on his present Holi-

ness, that Prelate who has a par-

ticular charge over us, and all

true professors of the Catholic

faith.

Whilst he makes his Memento,or Commemoration of the Liv-

ing, make yours also, prayingin particular for yourself andFriends, &c.


T OFFER thee, eternal Fa-J- ther, with this thy minister at

the altar, this oblation of the bodyand blood of thy only Son, to thy

honor and glory: in remembranceof my Saviour's passion, in

thanksgiving for all thy benefits,

in satisfaction for all my sins,

and for the obtaining of thy grace,

whereby I may be enabled to

live virtuously and die happily.

I desire thee likewise to accept

it, God, for my parents [if alive],

relatives, friends, and benefactors;

grant them all blessings, spiritual

and temporal. I offer it up also

[name theparticular intention you

offer it up for: as for obtaining

this virtue, overcoming that vice

;

for blessings, such as health, Sc.]

Likewise for all that are in mis-


ery ; for those I have any waysinjured in word or deed; for all

my enemies : for the conversion

of sinners, and enlightening all

that sit in darkness. Pour forth

thy blessings on all, according to

their different necessities, through

the merits of thy only Son our

Lord.

Proceed and say,

GIVE ear, we beseech thee, to

the prayers of thy servant,

who is here appointed to makethis oblation in our behalf, andgrant it may be effectual for the

obtaining of all those blessings,

which he asks for us.

Behold, Lord, we all here

present to thee in this bread andwine the symbols of our perfect


union. Grant, Lord, that they

may be made for us the true bodyand blood of thy dear Son; that

being consecrated to thee by this

holy Yictim, we may live in thy

service, and depart this life in thy

grace.


At the Elevation, or lifting up of

the Sacred Host, in Memory of

Christ being lifted up on the

Cross, say

j

'OST adorable body, I

adore thee with all the

powers of my soul.

Lord, who hast given

thyself entire to us, grant

we may become entirely

thine. I believe, Lord, help

my unbelief.

Most merciful Saviour, be thou

my protector; strengthen and de-

fend me by thy heavenly grace,

now, and especially at the hour

ofmy death, sweet Jesus. Amen.


At the Elevation of the Chalice,

say,

MOST adorable blood, that

washest away all our sins,

I adore thee : happy we, could

we return our life and blood for

thine, blessed Yictim.

Jesus, do thou cleanse, sanc-

tify, and preserve our souls to

eternal life. Live, Jesus, in us,

and may we live in thee. Amen.

After the Elevation, say,

IT is now, Lord, with grateful

hearts we call to mind the sa-

cred mysteries of thy passion anddeath, of thy resurrection and as-

cension. Here is thy body that

was broken : here is thy blood that


was shed for us, of which these

exterior signs are but the figures,

and yet in reality contain the

substance. It is now we truly

offer thee, Lord, that pure

and holy victim, which thou hast

been pleased to give us ; of whichall the other sacrifices were but

so many types and figures.

Whilst he makes his Memento, in

silence, for the Dead, makeyours also, thus,

T OFFER thee again, Lord,-L this holy sacrifice of the bodyand blood of thy only Son, in

behalf of the faithful departed,

and in particular for the souls of

[here name whom you chiefly

propose to pray for] my parents


[if dead], relatives, benefactors,

neighbors, &c. Likewise ofsuch

as I have any ways injured, or

been the occasion of their sins

;

of such as have injured me, andbeen my enemies ; of such as die

in war, or have none to pray for

them, &c. To these, Lord, andto all that rest in Christ, grant, webeseech thee, a place of refresh-

ment, light and peace : through

the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

When he strikes his Breast andsays aloud, Nobis quoque pec-

catoribus, say,

VOUCHSAFE to grant the

same to us, poor and mis-

erable sinners : judge us not ac-

cording to our demerits; but


through the infinite multitude of

thy mercies, in which we hope,

liberally extend to us thy grace

and pardon.

We ask it of thee, in the nameof thy dear Son, who liveth andreigneth eternally with thee, andin that form of prayer which he

himself hath taught us.

At the Pater Foster, say with him,

ITR Father, who art in heav-

en, hallowed be thy name

;

thy kingdom come;thy will be


done on earth, as it is in heaven

;

give us this day our daily bread

;

and forgive us our trespasses, as

we forgive them that trespass

against us ; and lead us not into

temptation : but deliver us from

evil. Amen.Deliver us from those evils

which we labor under at present

;

from past evils, which can be

nothing but our manifold sins

;

and from all the evils to come,

which will be the just chastise-

ment of our offences, if our pray-

ers, and those more powerful

ones of thy saints, who intercede

for us, intercept not thy justice,

or excite not thy bounty.


At his breaking and putting a

Particle of the Host into the

Chalice, say,

THY body was broken, andthy blood shed for us

;grant

that the commemoration of this

holy Mystery may obtain for us

peace: and that those who re-

ceive it may find everlasting

rest.

At the Agnus Dei, say with the

Priest,

T AMB of God, who takestJ-^ away the sins of the world,

have mercy upon us.

Lamb of God, who takest

away the sins of the world, havemercy upon us. Lamb of God,


who takest away the sins of the

world, grant us peace.

At the Prayer before Communion,say,

IN saying to thy Apostles, Mypeace I leave you, my peace

I give you : thou hast promised,

Lord, to all thy Church, that

peace which the world cannot

give;peace with thee, and peace

with ourselves.

Let nothing, Lord, ever in-

terrupt this holy peace : let no-

thing separate us from thee, to

whom we heartily desire to be

united, through the blessed sac-

rament of peace and reconcilia-

tion. Let this food of angels

strengthen us in every Christian

duty, so as never more to yield


under temptations, or fall into our

common weaknesses.

At the Domine non sum dignus,

striking your Breast thrice,

with Humility and Contrition,

say,

ORD, I am not worthy thou

shouldst enter under myroof; say only the word, and mysoul shall be healed.

Such as are not prepared to com-

municate ready, may communi-cate spiritually, by saying as

follows

:

te||OST loving Jesus, I adore

iyj thee with a lively faith, whoart present in this sacrament by


virtue of thy infinite power, wis-

dom, and goodness. But, con-

scious ofmy infirmities and sins, I

dare not now receive thee sacra-

mentally. All my hope is in thee

!

I love thee, Lord, with all myheart, who hast so loved me : andtherefore I desire to receive thee

now spiritually. Come therefore,

Lord, to me in spirit, and heal

my sinful soul. Feed me, for I

am hungry;strengthen me, for I

am weak; enliven and sanctify

me with thy sacred body andblood : deliver me from all sin, andmake me always obedient to thy

commands ; and let me never beseparated from thee, my Saviour

!

who, with the Father and the Ho-ly Ghost, livest and reignest one

God, forever and ever. Amen.


During the Ablution and Wiping

of the Chalice, say,

IYE us, Lord, a part in the

fruits of thy death and pas-

sion;

the sacred memory of

which we have commemoratedin our present sacrifice and com-munion. Happy those who sit

at thy table to partake of the

bread of life. Jesus, my soul

sighs after thee ! I long with

thy apostle to be dissolved, and to

be with thee. My heart, and mywhole body, with transports of

joy, seek the living God.

My soul languishes with the

ardent desire of entering into

the house of our Lord. I love

thee, my God, with all myheart ! that I could always


enjoy the presence of thy adora-

ble body, which is the pledge of

our eternal happiness. I adore

thy goodness, and return thee

infinite thanks, gracious Lord,

for thy inestimable favor andmercy, in admitting me to be

present this day at the dread

sacrifice, where thou art both

Priest and Victim. Make me,

God, always sensible of this great

blessing, and let not my unwor-thiness put a stop to the effect

of thy mercy and goodness.

Whilst he reads the Communion,say,

LET it be now, Lord, the

effect of thy mercy, that we,

who have been present at this


holy mystery, may find the ben-

efit of it in our souls.

At the Post- Communionjsay,

WE give thee thanks, God,

for thy mercy, in admit-

ting us to have a part in offering

this sacrifice to thy holy name

:

accept it now to thy glory, andbe ever mindful of our weakness.

Proceed as follows

:

ly/TOST gracious God, Father

of mercy, grant, I beseech

thee, that this adorable sacrifice

of the blessed body and blood

of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

may obtain for us at thy hands,

mercy, and the remission of all

our sins. Amen.


When he turns to the People andgives them Ms Blessing, makeyou also the sign of the Cross,

and say,

*nHHE Blessing of God Al-

mighty. Father, Son, andHoly Ghost, descend upon us,

and dwell in our hearts forever.

Amen.

Whilst he concludes with the last

Gospel, say,

ETERNAL Word,speak tomy soul, whichadores thee in profound

silence ; thou art the great

Creator of all things;

abandon not, I beseech

thee, thy own creature; be thou

my life, my light, and my all.


Light eternal ! enlighten mein this present life, and in the life

to come.

Reign in me as in thine owninheritance : for thou, Lord,

hast made me : thou hast redeem-

ed me ! May I be ever thine.

1 have sinned too much against

heaven, and before thee, and amnot worthy to be called thy son.

Thou God Incarnate, have pity

on my frail and mortal flesh, andgrant it may one day see what it

here adores below. Amen.

T RENDER thee all possibleJ- praise and thanks, Sover-

eign Creator, for the favor I havethis day received from thy bounty,

and of which many better deserv-

ing Christians are deprived. Re-


ceive, Lord,my unworthy pray-

ers, supply all my defects, pardonall my distractions and indevo-

tions, and grant that, by the

strength and virtue of these divine

mysteries, I may go on cheerfully

in the path ofthy commandments,love and service, amidst all the

temptations, troubles, and dangersof my life's pilgrimage, till I shall

one day happily arrive atthy heav-

enly kingdom, where, with the

blessed angels and saints, I shall

more clearly contemplate thee,

more perfectly enjoy thee, andmore adequately celebrate thy in-

finite goodness and mercy, with

uninterrupted canticles of eternal

praise, admiration, and grati-

tude.

Happy are they who dwell in


thy house, Lord : forever andever they will praise thee.

Thou art worthy, Lord, to

receive honor, glory, and power.

Praise the Lord, for he is good,

for his mercy is everlasting.

Who shall relate the wondersof the Lord ? who shall publish

his praises ?

OD, who wills not the death,

but the repentance of a sin-

ner, has, in the sacrament

of penance, mercifully pro-

vided Christians with the

means whereby they may ob-

tain pardon of their sins, and be

again restored to the favor of

AN EXAMEN OF CONSCIENCE. 187

their heavenly Father, which they hadforfeited by their offences. So that,

whoever is conscious to himself of hav-

ing provoked the anger of God by his

sins, ought diligently to apply himself to

seek a reconciliation with him in the

manner himself has prescribed and com-manded. But then it ought to be his

principal care, sincerely to perform all

that is exacted of him, with a serious-

ness proportioned to the greatness of

the work he is engaged in ; ever re-

membering, that as mercy and pardonare promised to those who perform it

worthily, so nothing less than a dreadful

curse is pronounced against all those

that do it negligently.

A Prayer before the Examination ofConscience.

I AM perfectly sensible, my God,that I have many ways offended thydivine Majesty, and provoked thy

wrath by my sins ; and that if I obtain

not pardon, I shall be cast out of thysight forever ; I desire therefore at

188 AN EXAMEN OF CONSCIENCE.

present to call myself to an account,

and look into all the sins whereby I havedispleased thee : but, my God, howmiserably shall I deceive myself, if thouassist me not in this work by thy hea-

venly light. Grant me therefore at

present thy grace, whereby I may dis-

cover all my imperfections,—see all myfailings,—and duly call to mind all mysins,—for I know that nothing is hiddenfrom thy sight. But I confess myselfin the dark as to my own failings : mypassions blind me, self-love flatters me,

presumption deludes me ;and though I

have many sins which stare me in the

face, and cannot be hidden, yet howmany too are there quite concealed fromme ! But discover even those to me,

Lord;enlighten my darkness, cure my

blindness, and remove every veil that

hides my sins from me, that I may be

no longer a secret to myself, nor a stran-

ger to my own failings, nor even flatter

myself with the thoughts of having re-

pented, and at the same time nourish

folly and vice within my breast. Come,


Holy Ghost, and by a beam of thy di-

vine light illumine my understandings

that I may have a perfect view of all

my sins and iniquities, and that, sincere-

ly repenting of them, I may know thee,

and be again received into thy favor.

A Method of Examination of Con-

science, according to the threefold

Duty we owe: 1. To God; 2. To ourNeighbor ; 3. To ourselves.

I. In relation to God.

AVE you omitted morning or

evening prayer, or neglected to

make your daily examination of

conscience ? Have you prayed negli-

gently, and with wilful distractions ? 2.

Have you spent your time, especially

on Sundays and holydays, not in slug-

gishly lying a-bed, or in any sort of idle

entertainment, but in reading, praying,

or other pious exercises ; and taken

care that those under your charge havedone the like, and not wanted the in-


structions necessary for their condition,

nor time for prayer, or to prepare for

the sacraments ? 3. Have you spokenirreverently of God and lioly things ?

Have you taken his name in vain, or

told untruths ? 4. Have you omitted yourduty through human respect, interest,

compliance, &c. ? 5. Have you beenzealous for God's honor, for justice, vir-

tue, and truth, and reproved such as

act otherwise ? 6. Have you resigned

your will to God in troubles, necessities,

sickness, &c. ? Have you faithfully re-

sisted thoughts of infidelity, distrust,

presumption, impurity, &c. ?

II. In relation to your Neighbor.

HAVE you disobeyed your superi-

ors, murmured against their com-mands, or spoken of them con-

temptuously ? 2. Have you been trou-

bled, peevish, or impatient, when told of

your faults, and not corrected them?Have you scorned the good advice of

others, or censured their proceedings ?

3. Have you offended any one by inju-


rious threatening words or actions?

4. Or lessened their reputation by anysort of detraction, or in any matter of

importance ? 5. Or spread any report,

true or false, that exposed your neigh-

bor to contempt, or made him under-

valued? 6. Have you, by carrying

stories backward and forward, created

discord and misunderstanding betweenneighbors? 7. Have you been frowardor peevish towards any one in yourcarriage, speech, or conversation? 8.

Or taken pleasure to vex, mortify, or

provoke them to swear, curse, or anyways offend God ? 9. Have you mock-ed or reproached them for their cor-

poral or spiritual imperfections ? 10.

Have you been excessive in repre-

hending those under your care, or beenwanting in giving them just reproof?

11. Have you borne with their over-

sights and imperfections, and given

them good counsel ? 12. Have you beensolicitous for such as are under yourcharge; and provided for their souls

and bodies?


III. In relation to yourself.

HAVE you been obstinate in follow-

ing your own will, or in defending

your own opinion in things either

indifferent, dangerous, or scandalous?2. Have you taken pleasure in hear-

ing yourself praised, or yielded to

thoughts of vanity ? 3. Have you in-

dulged yourself in overmuch ease, or

any ways yielded to sensuality ? 4. Hasyour conversation been edifying andmoderate ; or have you been froward,

proud, or troublesome to others ? 5.

Have you spent overmuch time in play,

or useless employments, and thereby

omitted, or put off your devotions to

unseasonable times ?

If such as confess often, fall into anyof the more grievous sins not here men-tioned, their own memory will easily

suggest them ; since it is impossible for

a tender soul to forget any mortal of-

fence, which must ofnecessity afflict her,

and therefore it may not be necessary

for them to turn over the following table

AN EXAMEN FOR CONFESSION. 193

of sins, which is chiefly intended for

general confessions.

An Examination for Confession.

The First Commandment is broken;

First, by Sins against Faith.

g3 be ignorant of the princi-

pal mysteries of Christian-

ity; of the Creed, of the

Commandments of God andhis Church, or of the Sacra-

ments. 2. Wilfully to doubt,

or obstinately to err in any point

of faith. 3. To have delayed em-bracing the true faith, out of humanrespect, interest, fear, &c. 4. To favor

heretics, or wicked men, in supporting

or approving their opinions or actions.

5. To endanger our faith by reading

their books with pleasure. 6. To ex-

amine divine mysteries with curiosity,

and secrets ofProvidence by pure humanreason. 7. To contemn or deride holy

194 AN EXAMEN UPON THE

things. 8. To abuse the words of the

holy scripture, by perverting them to

a wicked or profane sense, makingthem subservient to jests, or other ill

purposes. 9. To desire toknow things to

come, which belong to God alone, or

things past, or present, which are

hid from us, and for this end to em-ploy unlawful means, as fortune-tellers,

or other superstitious inventions. 10.

To give credit to dreams, or make super-

stitious observations; to employ pray-

ers or sacred names to ill uses • to use

charms, &c.

Secondly, by Sins against Hope.

BY distrusting the mercies of God,

and despairing of the pardon of

our sins. 2. By presuming on

God's goodness, without the least con-

cern of amendment. 3. By deferring

our conversion or repentance till the endof life. 4. By exposing ourselves to

the danger of offending God, either bycompany, reading, or otherwise, whichis called tempting God. 5. By exposing

TEN COMMANDMENTS. 195

ourselves without necessity to some cor-

poral danger; as sickness, wounds, or

death. 6. By neglecting the remedies

which God has appointed in these dan-

gers, as physic for the body, or prayer

and the sacraments for the soul.

Thirdly, by Sins against Charity.

BY not loving God above all things,

but rather choosing wilfully to of-

fend him, than suffer any loss of

honor, riches, &c. 2. By preferring the

love of men before the love of God ; or

offending him through fear of beingjeered or slighted. 3. By omitting our

duty through shame, or human respect.

4. By thinking seldom of God, or being

ashamed to speak of him; or by not

hearkening to his inspirations, by forget-

ting his benefits, or neglecting to give

him thanks.

Fourthly, by Sins' against Religion.

BY not adoring God, or praying to

him but seldom. 2. By prayingwithout attention, and with wilful


distractions. 3. By a want of respect

to God in time of prayer; or by talking,

or being present in holy places, without

a becoming modesty and gravity in our

looks, words, and actions.

Fifthly, by Sins against the Care weought to have of our Salvation.

BY a love of idleness. 2. By being

too solicitous in temporal concerns,

and neglecting the means of sal-

vation. 3. By deferring amendment of

life, or immediately desisting, after hav-

ing begun it. 4. By neglecting the

means of salvation ; as the sacraments,

prayer, good works, or performing themwithout devotion.

TJie Second Commandment is broken,

BY taking the name of God in vain.

2. By swearing to what one knowsor doubts to be false. 3. By

swearing to what is unjust, or prejudi-

cial to others. 4. By swearing without

necessity, though the thing itself be


true and just. 5. By blaspheming Godor holy things. 6. By cursing one's

self, or others, or taking pleasure in

hearing others swear or curse ; or byprovoking them to it. 7. By not re-

prehending them when one could andought. 8. By making a vow to do whatis impossible to fulfil ; or to do what is

evil and displeasing to God ; or to do

what one never intends to perform. 9.

By breaking lawful vows, or deferring

to fulfil them without just cause.

The Third Commandment is broken,

BY doing servile works on Sunday,or causing others to do the like

without necessity. 2. By employ-ing a considerable part of Sundays or

holydays in temporal affairs, as is often

the case with merchants, advocates, so-

licitors, &c. 3. By omitting to hear

Mass, or not hearing it with due atten-

tion and reverence. 4. By spending

Sundays and holydays in idleness, gam-ing, dancing, feasting, and other recre-

ations. 5. By not dedicating a consid-


erable part of those days to reading andpraying, and by not taking care that

those under your charge do the like.

The Fourth Commandment is broken,

BY children not paying due respect

to their parents, or by despising

them, either in their hearts or ac-

tions. 2. By not loving them, but wish-

ing their death, or some misfortune; or

by forsaking them in their necessities.

3. By not cheerfully obeying them; or

by obeying them in things unlawful.

4. By slighting their representations,

and resisting their corrections. 5. Byputting them into a passion, and not

taking care to pacify them. 6. By not

executing their last will and testament,

or by delaying to do so.

II. By servants. 1. By disobeying

their masters. 2. By a want of diligence

in the trust that is required of them.

3. By neglecting the reasonable andjust interests of their masters or em-ployers. 4. By letting them sustain

any kind of loss, through their sloth,


neglect, &c. 5. By obeying them in

things unlawful; as lying, swearing,

stealing, &c.

III. By parents not discharging their

duty towards their children. 1. In

not loving them, and supplying their

corporal necessities. 2. In not being

careful of their salvation. 3. In not

correcting them when it is necessary;

in flattering their passions, or indulging

their evil inclinations. 4. In treating

them with too much severity. 5. In not

setting them good example. 6. In for-

cing them in the choice of their state of

life.

IV. By masters. 1. In not taking

due care to regulate the life and conver-

sation of their servants. 2. In not beingwatchful over them, to reprehend their

faults ; make them say their prayers;go

to Mass on Sundays and holydays, andfrequent the sacraments. 3. In com-manding them to do something evil. 4.

In treating them injuriously. 5. In not

paying them their wages.


The Fifth Commandment is broken,

BY anger, quarrelling, or threaten-

ing; or by injurious or reproach-

ful words or actions against our

neighbors. 2. By revenge, or deliberate

thoughts or desires of revenge. 3. Byprovoking, striking, challenging, wound-ing, or being the cause of another's

death. 4. By bearing malice, refusing

to salute or speak to any neighbor

out of hatred or aversion, or refusing

to be reconciled to him.

The Sixth Commandment is broken,

BY the hearing.—In willingly giving

ear to immodest words, discourses,

songs, &c.

II. By the sight.—1. In looking onimmodest objects. 2. In reading or

keeping immodest books;lending them

to others; or neglecting to suppress themwhen we may.

III. By the tongue.— 1. In speaking

immodest words. 2. In relating improp-


er stories or wicked actions of ourselves

or others.

IV. By the touch.—In using indecent

actions.

V. By thoughts.—By entertaining

impure thoughts wilfully and with

delight.

VI. By immodest actions.—1. In com-mitting the sin of impurity ; and whethereffected by soliciting, seducing with

promises, or forcing; whether it be for-

nication, adultery, or incest. 2. In sins

against nature.

Tlie Seventh Commandment is broken,

BY taking another's goods, and to

what value. 2. By retaining whatwe know belongs to another. 3 . By

denying our debts, or wilfully delaying

payment, to the prejudice of our neigh-

bors. 4. By making unjust bargains or

contracts, into which every trade or pro-

fession ought to make a strict inquiry.

5. By causing any damage to our neigh-

bors. 6. By putting off false and coun-

terfeit money. 7. By desiring another's


property. 8. By not giving alms whennecessity requires. 9. By not payingdues to your pastors^ or by not contrib-

uting to the decent support of religious

worship. 10. By simony.

The Eighth Commandment is broken,

BY witnessing what is false, or de-

fending a false accusation, as in law-

yers and solicitors; or condemningthe innocent, or discharging the guilty,

as judges and arbitrators. 2. By detrac-

tion, either in laying something false to

another's charge, or reporting for truth

what is merely doubtful ; or in revealing

something as yet secret and unknown,though true, to the prejudice of somethird person ; with a declaration, whetherit be done out oflevity and indiscretion,

or out of malice or ill-will ; whether in

the presence of many, or in a matter of

importance. 3. By lying, or speaking

what we judge to be otherwise than wesay : whether out of custom, or to the

considerable prejudice of others. 4. Byhypocrisy, which is a lie in action.


The Ninth and Tenth are broken,

BY all unlawful and wilful desires of

impurity and theft: which havebeen already mentioned in the sixth

and seventh commandments.

The Precepts of the Church.

TO keep certain appointed days holy,

with the obligation of hearing

Mass, and resting from servile

works. II. To observe the days of ab-

stinence and fasting. III. To confess

our sins to our pastors at least once ayear. IV. To receive the blessed sac-

rament at Easter, or thereabouts. V.

To contribute to the support of ourpastors.


Tlie examination on theseprecepts beingvery easy, we therefore proceed to

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS.

The Sin of Pride consists,

N entertaining too great anopinion of ourselves, or in

valuing ourselves above ourdeserts. 2. In publishing

what we think good in our-

selves, that we may be es-

teemed by others. 3. In arro-

gance, by attributing to ourselves

the good we have not. 4. In presump-tion and ambition, by confiding too

much in our own strength, conceiting

ourselves capable of accomplishing

things above our abilities, and in rashly

attempting them. 5. In contempt of

others, on account of the good opinion

we have of ourselves, and when this

contempt is manifested by words or ac-

tions, or by being severe and exacting

on inferiors. 6. In want of submission

to our superiors, by disobeying them;

SEVEN DEADLY SINS. 205

blaming their conduct, or murmuringagainst them. 7. In not acknowledging

our faults : or when, in confessing the

facts, we maintain we have done well,

or at least allege false excuses. 8. In

contempt of admonitions and correc-

tions. 9. In discord. 10. In hypocrisy.

11. In curiosity, which inclines us to

know things prejudicial to our salvation.

12. By ingratitude for God's benefits.

Tlie sins of covetousness, luxury, andsloth have been already examined in

the first, sixth, and seventh command-ments.

The Sin of Gluttony,

IN eating and drinking to excess, as

far as they are prejudicial, either to

our health or our reason, or anywaysscandalous, or of ill example to others.

The Sin of Envy.

TROUBLE at the good success of ourneighbor, or when we endeavor to

do him an unkindness, or speakoften against him or create an ill opin-

206 THE SIN OF ANGER.

ion of him in the mind of another.

2. When we rejoice at our neighbor's

harm.

OT to endure any thing contrary to

our inclinations. 2. To suffer our-

selves to be hurried away by the

emotions of wrath against those that

give us any trouble. 3. To proceed

to quarrels, injurious language, oaths,

curses, threats; to take revenge, or to

desire and wish to be in a capacity of

exercising it. 4. To refuse to pardon

injuries, or to be reconciled to our ene-

mies, or to such of our neighbors with

whom we have had some misunder-

standing, or falling out.

The Sin of Anger.

A PRAYER FOR CONTRITION. 207

A Prayer for obtaining Contrition.

HAVE now here before ine,

Lord, a sad prospect of

the manifold offences where-by I have displeased thy

divine Majesty, and which I amassured will appear in judg-

ment against me, if, by repen-

tance and a hearty sorrow, mysoul be not prepared to receive thy par-

don. But this sorrow and this repen-

tance, Lord, must be the free gift of

thy mercy, without which all my en-

208 PRAYERS BEFORE CONFESSION.

deavors will be in vain, and I shall beforever miserable. Have pity therefore

on me, merciful Father, and pour forth

into my heart thy grace, whereby I

may sincerely repent of all my sins

:

grant me true contrition, that I may be-

wail my base ingratitude, and grieve

from my heart for having offended so

good a God. Permit me not to be delu-

ded by a false sorrow, as I fear I havebeen too often, through my own weak-ness and neglect : but let it now be thygift descending from thee, the Father

of Lights, that so my repentance may be

accompanied by an amendment and a

change of life, that being thus acquitted

from the guilt of my sins, I may once

more be received into the number of thy

servants. Amen.

Prayers before Confession.

JlAYE pity on me, God, and let

me partake of the effects of thy

great mercy. I here acknowl-

edge, and am sensible of the multitude

and enormity of my sins. It is thou,

PRAYERS BEFORE CONFESSION. 209

iny God, perfidious creature as I am,

whom I have offended; it is against thee

that I have rebelled. To follow my plea-

sures, and indulge my passions, I haveabandoned thee, and lost thy grace

;I,

whom thou hast created to thine ownlikeness, and redeemed by the blood of

thy only Son, have, by my sins, mademy soul resemble those monsters of in-

gratitude, the infernal spirits; like them,

1 have forfeited heaven, my blessed

country, and deserved hell and damna-tion, which I shall never be able to es-

cape without the assistance ofthy bound-less mercy. The injury I have offered

thee, Lord, is so great, that it causedthy Son Jesus Christ, my Saviour, to

suffer death. How, then, my God !

how can I sufficiently deplore so great anevil ! Who will give water to my head,

and a fountain of tears to my eyes, that

I may incessantly deplore my miseryand malice, and do penance for my sin !

LMIGHTY and eternal God, to

whom are due all honor and glory

:

210 PRAYERS BEFORE CONFESSIOX.

behold, I (a miserable and unworthysinner, who have hitherto lived in in-

gratitude and rebellion) come to thee,

my Creator, my God, my Redeemer,my merciful Judge, and my Saviour,

accusing myself, and laying before thee

all the abominations by which I haveblasphemed thy sacred name, trans-

gressed thy precepts, contemned thywill, and defiled both my soul and body.

my God, when I behold my miseryand consider how often I have abusedthy gifts and blessings, despised thygoodness, neglected thy service, addeddaily sin to sin, and preferred myself,

my passions, and other creatures, to myduty and thy commands, I cannot but

consider myself as unworthy either to

lift up my eyes to heaven, or appear in

thy presence. But whither, Lord myGod, shall I flee from thy face ? Whereshall I conceal myself from thy anger?

Who can restore me to thy favor ? It

is only from thy goodness that I can

expect so great a blessing : for art not

thou my Father, whose mercies are in-


finite, and whose compassion knows nobounds ? And I, though unworthy of

the name of thy child, acknowledge noother Father but thee. Wherefore I

prostrate myself at the feet ofthy mercy,

[and beseech thee, by thy almighty

power, goodness, and wisdom, to pardon,

purify, and acquit me from the guilt of

all my sins. Receive me again into thy

favor, Lord, and confirm me in all

good, that my soul, being entirely pos-

sessed by thee, may be prepared for

glory. And that my petition may find

acceptance, I appeal to thee, sweetJesus, Son of the living God, the Advo-cate and Mediator betwixt us sinners

and thy eternal Father, humbly beseech-

ing thee, through that infinite charity

which brought thee from heaven to the

ignominy of the cross, and thy precious

blood spilt thereon, that I may nowpartake of the benefit of thy sufferings,

and be cleansed from all my offences

:

that by thy assistance I may sincerely

repent and amend of all my failings:

that dying to myself and the world, I


may live only to thee, and never suffer

either passion or pleasure to divide mefrom thee any more.

ALAS, my Father and my God, howcomes it to pass that I shouldhave so often offended thee ! Thou

seest, Lord, neither goodness nor

health in me ; have mercy therefore onme, for I have sinned against thee.

Heal my soul, Lord, for thou only art

my hope and strength. Alas, my God,

how many and dangerous are mywounds ! how great my weakness andmisery, for the curing ofwhich thou wastcrucified and slain : and to whom shall

I complain of all these my evils, if not

to thee, Lord, the Saviour and Re-deemer of my soul? Be merciful,

therefore, to me a sinner, sweet Jesus !

for nothing is more pleasing to thee than

to have compassion on those that are

miserable. Restore me to thy favor;

receive me again into thy friendship,

and cast me not off on account of myoffences ; for what can I, miserable crea-


ture;do but offend? And what canst

thou, infinite Goodness, do, but havemercy and spare ? Spare ine, therefore,

according to thine infinite goodness, andgrant ine now tears of sincere repen-

tance, that I may mourn for the evils I

have committed. Grant that I may sin-

cerely grieve for having sinned against

thee, my God, my Creator, and Redeem-er. Soften my hardened breast, and in-

flame my frozen heart, that I may, with

unfeigned sorrow, repent for not loving,

nay, for despising and offending thee.

What shall I, most miserable and wick-

ed creature, do, God, to serve thee ?

Whilst I behold myself, I see no hopesof amendment ; all my confidence andhopes of mercy are in thee. Help me,therefore, Lord, and be thou the

strength of my soul, that I may fromthis moment detest and forsake all mypast evils; that I may conquer mypassions, reform all my bad habits, andby a true change of life and manners,be entirely united to thee, and with thee

live forever. Amen.


TO thee, merciful Jesus, in the bit-

terness ofmy soul I come, beseech-

ing thee to have compassion on me;

and deliver me from my sins : despise

not, God, the cries of thy lost sheep

;

reject not the sighs of thy prodigal child,

who desires to return home to thee, andto be received again into the number of

thy servants. I am sorry for all the

sins I have committed, and detest themhere in thy presence : because I love

thee above all things, and honor thee as

my gracious God, worthy of infinite

love. And for this reason I now firmly

purpose to suffer all evils, nay, even

death itself, rather than willingly con-

sent to sin. I resolve to make an exact

confession of all my offences, faithfully

to discharge whatever shall be enjoined

for my punishment or amendment, andcarefully to avoid all occasions of sin.

And if any thing be wanting of true

contrition to this my sorrow, may thy

sacred passion, blessed Jesus, thy

precious blood and infinite merits, supply

all the defects of my weakness : for


it is in thy death I place all my trust

:

through thee I firmly hope to obtain par-

don of all my sins, grace to overcomemy vicious customs, and perseverance to

the end in the good resolutions I havenow made in thy presence. As, there-

fore, it is by thee I come to the know-ledge of my misery, so it is by thee

my good purpose and sorrow for myoffences must be perfected. May the

fire, therefore, of divine love now in-

flame my soul, and consume therein

whatever is displeasing to thy infinite

goodness. Sanctify my heart—purify

my affections and desires—that, dyingto myself, I may ever live to thee, andat length depart this life in thy grace

and favor. Amen.

216 ASPIRATIONS BEFORE CONFESSION.

Such as go to confession over-night, orotherwise have leisure, may use the

following Aspirations, either beforeor after confession, with benefit to

their souls:

Y Lord and my God, I sin-

cerely acknowledge myself

a vile and wretched sinner,

nnworthy to appear in thypresence; but do thou havemercy on me and save me.

God, my sovereign good,

how far have I wandered fromthee by sins ! How long have I dwelt

at a distance from thee in the region

of misery, where I had quite lost my-self.

Most loving Father, I have sinned

ASPIRATIONS BEFORE CONFESSION. 217

against heaven, and before thee, andam unworthy to be called thy child;

make me as one of thy servants, andmay I for the future be ever faithful to

thee.

It truly grieves me, my God, to

have sinned, and so many times trans-

gressed thy law: but wash me nowfrom my iniquity, and cleanse me frommy sin.

I detest my sins, Lord: I abhormy wickedness : I confess my ingrati-

tude, and seek refuge in thy mercy.

From this moment I purpose never

more to offend thee : let me suffer

all kinds of pain and infamy, nay, evendeath itself, rather than return to myformer course of life, and live thyenemy.

Loving Father, assist me by thy grace,

that I may bring forth worthy fruits of

penance, and not suffer my sins to gounpunished.

I have wandered like a sheep that is

gone astray ; but I hear thy sweet voice

crying- after me, in the most affectionate


manner imaginable, "Come, dear soul,

thou hast gone after many lovers, but

return to me, and I will receive thee

yet again/' Jer. iii.

II. Xow I begin, Lord, now I begin

to live, not trusting in my own strength,

or in the resolutions I make, but in the

multitude of thy mercies.

Perfect, God, the work which thouhast now beorin in me. Thou hast

given me peace and understanding;but,

wretched sinner that I am, how ungrate-

fully have I abused all thy gifts ! Andyet now, with all the tenderness of a

loving Father, thou recallest me fromsin, and rescuest me from hell and ever-

lasting damnation.

Alas ! my soul is full of anguish andconfusion at the recollection of the manysins whereby I have offended thee, mymerciful Redeemer, made myself a slave

to the devil, and provoked thy anger.

that I had never transgressed thy

commandments, nor fallen into such anabyss of misery and calamity ! that I

had never sinned ! Happy those souls


wno have preserved their innocence :

that I had been so happy

!

But now I am resolved, with the help

of thy grace, to be more watchful over

myself, to amend my failings, and fulfil

thy law. Look down on me with the

eyes ofmercy, God, andblot outmy sins.

Forgive me what is past, and, through

the bowels of thy infinite goodness, se-

cure me by thy most efficacious grace

against all my wonted failings for the

time to come.

Alas ! how slothful and careless haveI hitherto been ! I have deferred myrepentance, rejected thy helps, con-

temned thy visits, and been deaf to thycalls. Lord, what shall I do ? or whatcourse shall I take? It grieves mefrom my heart that I have ever offend-

ed thee;but do thou vouchsafe to have

mercy on me, sovereign Lord ofmy life.

Behold, thou' seest nothing good norwholesome in my soul. I am blind andmiserable, and without thee, God, I

can do nothing.

III. My sins surpass in number the


sands of the sea, and I confess myself,

Lord, unworthy of thy mercy ; butthy goodness is above all my offences.

Thou hast declared, Lord, that

there is joy in heaven for the conversion

of a sinner : grant me, then, the grace

of true repentance, and let heaven re-

joice at my amendment.Thou wiliest not the death of a sin-

ner, but that he be converted and live

:

grant me then that spiritual life which I

want; for behold, Lord, I sincerely

desire to live to thee.

Thou didst come, dear Redeemer,not to call the just, but sinners to re-

pentance : behold a most miserable sin-

ner here before thee. draw him mostpowerfully to thee

Have mercy on me, God, accord-

ing to thy great mercy ; and according

to the multitude of thy tender mercies,

blot out my iniquities. Sprinkle mewith thy precious blood, and I shall bewhiter than snow. Create in me a clean

heart and renew a right spirit within

my bowels.


Dear Redeemer of my soiil;how long

turnest thou thy face from me, andbringest no relief to my sorrows !

Behold the prodigal child, nay worse

than the prodigal : but do thou, Fa-

ther, vouchsafe to have compassion on

me ! clothe me with the robes of thy

grace, and receive me into the arms of

thy mercy.

Let not thy precious blood, my dear

Saviour, be shed for me in vain; but

may it now bring forth in me the fruit

of sincere repentance, and open to methe way to life everlasting.

IV. How great is thy goodness,

Lord, in having so long spared such a

worthless servant, and waited with so

much patience for his amendment ! Ah,what return shall I make for thy infinite

mercies ? let this mercy be added to

the rest, that I may never more offend

thee : this single favor I earnestly begof thee, Lord, viz., that I may, for

the future, renounce my own way to

follow thine.

Come, Lord, take possession of my


heart, and cast out thence whateverthou knowest profanes or defiles this

thy temple ; destroy and eradicate all

that displeaseth thee ; and lay therein

the foundation of a new life.

I confess I have sinned ; but if thouwilt, thou canst make me whole. Heal,

most loving Father, this my soul.

that I were free from all vice ! that

I could regulate my senses, govern mythoughts, and moderate my affections

!

that I were truly composed and or-

derly both within and without ! Butwhen shall I be thus happy, when thus

pure in thy sight ? Lord, I will labor

and take pains to reform myself, and I

beg thy assistance for this work : but if

1 find not that good effect I desire, I

will still persevere in my duty, and wait

with patience and humility till thou

shalt please to give a blessing to my en-

deavors. Help me, Lord my God,

and have compassion on my sinful soul.

Amen.

AT CONFESSION, 223

At Confession.

Here you should reflect upon the measûres tvhich you ought to take for anentire amendment ofyour life, consid-

ering well what have been the occa-

sions of your sins f What circum-

stances are apt to prove dangerous to

you f Whatprecautionsyou ought to

take against those dangers in future f

What pious exercises you ought to

practise daily f When, and howoften, approach the Sacraments, &c.

When you find yourself heartily sorry

for having offended God, and fully

determined for the time to come to

amend your life, and avoid all mor-tal sins, and the immediate occasions

of them, then humbly approach the

tribunal of Penance, and kneeling bythe Priest, make the sign of the Cross,

and ask his blessing, saying, "Father,

bless me;for I have sinned." After

receiving the blessing, say the Con-

fiteor to "mea maxima culpa, throughmy most grievous fault and then be-

224 AT CONFESSION.

gin a plain, entire, and discreet con-

fession of your sins, thus: " Since

my last confession, which was a week,a fortnight, or a month ago, I have,

or I have not complied with mypenance, and I accuse myself that,—"avoiding superfluous accusations, or

irrelevant matter, neither obscuring

your offences by ambiguous expres-

sions, nor concealing any mortal sin,

or any circumstance which either ag-

gravates its heinousness, or changes

its nature; mention how often youhave committed it, and fail not to

state whether it be habitual. Havingsincerely declared all you can remem-ber, conclude thus : "for these and all

my other sins and imperfections,

which I cannot call to mind, I amheartily sorry, purpose amendmentfor the future, and humbly ask par-

don of God, and penance and abso-

lution of you, my ghostly Father."

Then humbly bowing doivn, finish the

Confiteor, saying, " Therefore, I be-

seech," &c.

AT CONFESSION. 225

This being concluded, you must listen

attentively to the instructions of the

Priest, accept with humility the pen-ance he enjoins, and whilst he impartsabsolution, renew your sorrow, mak-ing an act of contrition, or repeat-

ing the following jirayer :

MERCIFUL God, as, at the

words of thy Angel, the chains fell

from the feet of St. Peter, and he

was immediately restored to liberty, so

grant, that by the words of this holy

Sacrament, pronounced by the Priest,

the chains of my sins may be loosed,

and all my offences pardoned. Amen.G-od, be merciful to me a sinner.

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on

me.Thou, who sufferedst for me, have

mercy on me.

226 PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION.

Prayers after Confession.

RETURN thee thanks,

loving Father, for having

admitted me into this sacra

ment, wherein suffering thy

mercy to take place of thy

justice, thou hast cast all mysins out of thy sight. Grant me

now thy grace, Lord, that by

PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION. 227

sincere and perfect contrition, my repen-

tance inav be like that of David andPeter, that my offences being effectually

remitted, I may hereafter continue faith-

ful in thy service. But this I cannot

do, unless with the aid of thy grace;

for without it my soul will remain bar-

ren and dry, like earth without water.

I am perfectly sensible ofmy own weak-ness and inability to do any thing that

is good, or acceptable to thee. Theonly consolation and confidence I haveis to raise up my eyes to my Jesus, to

his tears and sufferings ; that thy jus-

tice being appeased thereby, thou may-est open to me the gates of mercy, andreceive me into thy favor. Look down,therefore, on me, with an eye of pity,

and have compassion on my miseries.

meek and merciful Lord ! strike this

hard and obdurate heart of mine, that

it may burst forth into a fountain of

healing waters,—the waters of sincere

contrition, wherewith my soul may becleansed and purified. Perfect the workthou hast begun in me, for I am thy

228 PRAYERS AFTER COXFESSIOX.

creature, and grant that the confession

I have made may be acceptable in thysio;ht, and that whatever is wanting to-

wards its perfection through my weak-ness, may be supplied by thy infinite

goodness and mercy. Thy mercy there-

fore I implore, and through it beg par-

don of all my sins;firmly purposing in

thy presence to avoid every thing that

may be displeasing to thee, and to ap-

ply myself with all diligence to the

practice of virtue. I hope thou wilt

not refuse me thy assistance, since

thou, Lord, hast promised never to

forsake those that trust in thee. Per-

mit my heart to be no longer hurried

away by the follies of this life, nor to

experience my own weakness in mywonted relapses. It is high time I

should be converted from my evil ways,

forsake my errors, and amend my fail-

ings ; since hitherto, alas ! so manydays and years have elapsed in goodpurposes, but with very little improve-

ment of my soul. Command, therefore,

sovereign Lord, my rebellious heart,

PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION. 229

and force it to a compliance with thy

law. Break all my passions, rule myaffections, direct my desires, strength-

en my good endeavors, and give ear nowto thy unworthy servant. Let not mywickedness make thee forget thy good-

ness ; for though my sins cry aloud for

justice, yet thou still hast mercy, where-

by thou canst save, and once more re-

ceive me into thy favor, my God, myLord, and all my hope, who livest andreignest forever and ever.

OGOD of mercy, having now,through thy gracious goodness,

disburdened mv conscience of the

guilt wherewith it was oppressed, and,

in the humblest manner I was able, dis-

covered all the sins I could recollect,

to thy minister, my ghostly father, I

most humbly beseech thee to accept this

confession, and forgive me all my tres-

passes, as well those I have forgot as

those I have remembered. Grant megrace, Lord, to live more carefully

hereafter, and to abstain from my for-

230 PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION.

mer vices, which I utterly detest, firmly

purposing never to be guilty of themany more. But especially, mostmerciful and bountiful Saviour, enable

me to withstand those temptations withwhich I am most infested, and to avoid

all occasions of offending thee for the

future. If the just man fall seven times

in the day, how much more reason haveI to be jealous of myself, Lord, andto fear that I shall not be steadfast in

my resolutions, having, through my ownfrailty and vicious customs, increased

the natural blindness and weakness in

which I was born? Yet, Lord, I

firmly purpose, through thy merciful

assistance, never to consent to anymortal sin, from which I humbly beseech

thee to preserve me whilst I live : and,

as to my venial sins and imperfections,

I resolve to strive against them, andhope, through thy goodness, at length

to amend them.

SI preparation tor ©ommu*nton.

232 A PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION,

An Act of Faith.

^^^>^rY Lord and Saviour Jesus

/^^fj^fî Christ, I firmly believe that

P^^m^) thou art really present in

^•tSf^^^ the blessed Sacrament : I

,7?V/^ believe it contains thy body<hi0 and blood, thy soul and divin-

ity. I acknowledge these truths

;

I believe these wonders ; I adorethy power, which has wrought them

;I

praise thy infinite goodness, which hasprepared them for me

;and, with David,

" I will praise thee, my God, with mywhole heart, and will recount all thy

admirable works / I will rejoice in thee,

and bless thy holy name." In this faith,

and with this acknowledgment, I pre-

sume to approach this adorable banquet,

wherein thou bestowest on me the di-

vine food of thy body and blood, to

satiate my soul with thyself and thy

Holy Spirit. Grant, Jesus, that I

may approach thee with such a pro-

found sense of reverence and humility,

as is due to thy infinite majesty. Who

A PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION. 233

am L God, that thou shouldst worksuch wonders for my sake ? Grant.

Lord, that I be not altogether unworthyof them, and that I inav now receive

thee with a pure heart, a clean consci-

ence, and a sincere and lively faith.

Pardon inv sins, which have rendered

me most unwor:hy to approach thee

:

I detest them from the bottom of myheart, because they are displeasing to

thee, my God ; I renounce them forever,

and promise to be faithful to thee.

Take courage, then, mv soul, raise thy-

self up : go and receive thy God. andwith him all the favors he has preparedfor thee in this divine sacrament.

An Act of Hope.

IN thee, sweet Jesus, I place all myhope, because thou alone art my sal-

vation, mv strength, mv refuge, andthe foundation of all my happiness;

and were it not for the confidence I place

in thy merits, and in the precious bloodwherewith thou didst redeem me, I

would not presume to partake of this

234 A PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION.

banquet. Encouraged therefore by thygoodness, behold I come to thee as apoor and infirm sheep to its shepherd

;

as one sick to his physician ; as a con-

demned criminal to his powerful inter-

cessor : that, as the true shepherd of

my soul, thou mayest strengthen me

:

heal me, as my physician : and, as mymerciful advocate, deliver me from the

sentence of sin and death. I, who aman abyss of nothing, invoke thee, whoart the abyss of all goodness : for thoughmy sins are innumerable, and verygrievous, yet they are but light andtrivial, when compared to thy boundless

mercy, and the infinite ransom of thyblood. It is in this mercy, then,

Lord, that I put all my trust ; and ampleased that I can find nothing in my-self wherein to hope, that so I may put

my whole trust in thee. Have pity,

therefore, on me, my Jesus, and save

tne, for thou forsakest none that place

their hopes in thee.


An Act of Charity.

HOW strong was the force of thy

love, my dear Redeemer, when,being about to depart out of this

world to thy eternal Father, thou pro-

videdst for us this divine banquet, en-

riched with all heavenly sweetness !

Ah ! it was through the wonderful ef-

fects of thy divine goodness, that thou

didst humble thyself to such an excess

for our redemption, as to take upon thee

the infirmity ofour nature. And is it not

through an infinite excess ofthy love, that

thou hast left us thy body and blood for

the food and nourishment of our souls

:

that, as thou didst unite thyself to our

humanity, so we might here be madepartakers of thy divinity ! In return

for this thy infinite love, I desire to

love thee, my Jesus, who art my only

comfort in this place of banishment, the

only hope of my infirm soul, and happi-

ness above all I can enjoy in this life.

I love thee, my God, with my wholeheart, with my whole soul, with all my


mind;and all ray strength ; and wish,

that as every moment is an increase of

my life, so it may be also of my love

towards thee. I desire, with all the af-

fections and powers of my soul, that as

the utmost thanks are due, so they may. be returned to thee, by all the faithful,

for this divine food, which is our refresh-

ment, support, strength, armor, anddefence in all our miseries; and that

my love may never cease, inflame myheart with the fire of heaven, that it

may continue burning, till nature andcorruption being weakened and consum-ed, I may at length be transformed into

thee. Come, Lord ! hasten to re-

lease me once more from the bonds of

sin, and prepare me for the blessing

thou art now about to bestow on me.

An Act of Desire.

AS the wearied hart thirsts after

the fountains of water, so doth mysoul pant after thee, my Saviour

!

my Lord ! and my Jesus ! It ardently

longs to drink of those fountains, which


thy love has opened for its comfort andrelief. Tired, therefore, with my ownevil ways, I now return hungry andthirsty, crying out aloud, Have mercyon me, Son of God, and permit meto taste of thy banquet, that my soul

may be refreshed. that I had the

affections of the heavenly spirits, that

my soul might truly languish after thee,

the fountain of life, of wisdom, and of

eternal light ; the impetuous torrent of

celestial happiness ! that my soul did

truly hunger after thee, the bread of

angels, the food of blessed souls, andthat all that is within me might be de-

lighted with the taste of thy sweetness

!

I here despise all human consolations,

that I may be comforted by thee, myonly good, my God and Saviour, whomI love above all things, and desire to

entertain within my breast, with as

much devotion and affection as is con-

ceived by thy chosen servants, who sit

at thy table of celestial bliss. Andhowever I may have been hitherto

wanting in my duty, or unjust to thee,


in misplacing my affections, I now for-

ever renounce my folly and weakness,

and from my heart request, that for the

future, my joy, my relief, my treasure,

and rest, may be entirely centred in

thee. May I never desire any thing

besides thee ; and may all things seemcontemptible and as nothing without

thee, my God

!

An Act of Thanksgiving.

WHO am I, God of infinite good-

ness, that thou shouldst permitme to partake of this bread of

angels ? How have I found such favor in

thy sight, as to be the object of so un-

speakable a mercy ! Come, all ye angels

and saints of God, and I will recount to

you what great things our Lord has doneformy soul. He has raisedme out of the

dust, and delivered me from the bondsof sin : he has told me not to be de-

jected, for that himself will be my sup-

port and my strength: and though I

have most unworthily forsaken him bymy repeated follies, yet behold he calls


Hie back again, and invites me to par-

take of the bread of life, that, as he

made me, so I may ever live by him.

What thanks can I give thee, merci-

ful Jesus, Saviour of the world ? Whatreturn shall I make thee for all thou

hast done for my soul ? Were I to give

all I have in acknowledgment of thy

love, it would still be as nothing; for

thou, Lord, hast plentifully poured forth

thyself upon me, and given me even all

that thou art—thy body, thy blood, thysoul, thy divinity : and if, in thanks-

giving for thy mercies, I were to lay

before thee my body and soul, my life,

liberty, and all I possess, what wouldthey be, when compared to the blessing

thou hast here bestowed on me ; whatto the debt I owe, which is in some kindequal to what I receive, Infinite as

thyself ? G-od, how far is this abovemy means ? I have, however, one re-

quest to make (for thou art good andmerciful, and knowest my poverty),' that

thou wouldst vouchsafe to accept this

little offering I present thee in the sin-


cerity of my heart, saying, with the

Spouse in the Canticles, My Beloved to

me, and I to my Beloved. Thou hast

mercifully given thyself to me, for the

food of my soul; and now behold I offer

thee all that I have, all that I am, all

that I possess ; to thee I make a full

surrender of them all, that being whollythine, I may now no longer have anypart in myself.

An Act of Fear.

BEING now invited by thee, sweet

Jesus, to come and partake of thybanquet, I could cheerfully obey

thy call, and receive thee with all the

love and affection of my soul, if the

thought of so great a happiness did not

makeme tremble at the consciousness of

my wickedness. My sins always upbraid

me ; and when the voice of St. Paulstrikes my ear, He that eats and drinks

unworthily, eats and drinks judgmentto himself, must I not then tremble at

the thoughts of approaching thy table ?

Alas ! if I allow myself but the liberty


to think, I ani confounded, to consider,

that having so often received this divine

food, I should yet remain so frail andmiserable, or that my heart should be

so little fixed on thee as to be instantly

wandering amongst vanity and folly,

and seenrmore fond of the empty satis-

faction of creatures than of thee, myonly happiness. I have frequently re-

solved to amend, and as often pretended

to make a new covenant, receiving thyprecious body as a pledge of my en-

gagements ; and yet where do I remain,

but in the midst of sin and vice, with

my senses disordered, my tongue un-

governed, my affections depraved, andyet, God, how little pains do I take to

recover from this misery, and return to

thee, to whom I have so repeatedly pro-

mised to be faithful! These thoughts

encompass me, Lord, on every side,

and cause me to fear, that what thouhast mercifully ordained for my salva-

tion, I should now receive to my judg-

ment and condemnation. What coursethen shall I steer in the midst of such


difficulties ? Shall I fly from before thyface, like despairing Cain ? or with Ad-am hide myself, because, at the hear-

ing of thy voice, I behold myself naked,

and destitute of all that is good ? No,my God, suffer me rather to fly to thee

for succor and refuge, because I knowthy mercy exceeds my misery, and thygoodness surpasses my wickedness ; if I

am defiled, infirm, and naked, thou canst

cleanse me, cure, and clothe me. Tothee, therefore, I run, my God, withfear and trembling, to take shelter un-

der the wings of thy clemency; still

hoping, that, notwithstanding my un-

worthiness, thou wilt pardon my iniqui-

ties, heal my infirmities, and clothe mewith thy grace. For this end, Lord,

disengage my heart from all that divides

thee from me, or distracts me in myduty; for I own, that in all that tempts

me, there is nothing but vanity andaffliction of spirit. may my soul nolonger relish any other sweetness than

that of thy presence : may it now no

longer admire anything but the great-


ness of thy infinite love, or look for

content in any other object, but in thee

alone, the God of my heart.

An Act of Humility.

IMMENSE, powerful, and incom-prehensible God, who am I, that

thou shouldst vouchsafe thus to

come to be my food, and to take thy

habitation within my soul ? It is in

this I conceive something of thy infi-

nite goodness and mercy, and my ownmiserable baseness and ingratitude.

Thou art the King of kings, and sov-

ereign Lord of the universe, at whosepresence the earth trembles. Thou art

the fountain of holiness, in whose sight

the angels themselves are not pure.

Thou art the bright sun of eternal day,

who dwellest in light inaccessible. Butas to myself, what am I, but a poorworm of the earth, subject to innumer-able miseries, distracted with passions

;

fond of vanity, defiled with sin; encom-

passed with darkness;busy about folly

;

and careless of eternity? How then


dare I approach thee, who am thus mis-

erable and unprepared? With whatconfidence can I appear before thee,

most just Judge, in whose presence the

very pillars of heaven tremble ;—I, whoby my sins have run astray from thee,

though thou art present in every place

;

I, who have polluted my soul, espoused

to thee in baptism, with filth and wick-

edness, abandoning thee, my Maker andRedeemer, for the love of vanity anddeceitful pleasures ? Thou hast created

me from nothing, and, by thy grace

plentifully furnished me with the meansof obtaining eternal happiness ; and howill a return have I made for these bless-

ings, by living in sin, and by not being

solicitous to please thee, but rather to

satisfy my own corrupt inclinations?

Thou hast prepared for me a banquet of

heavenly sweetness, and I have longed

after the flesh-pots of Egypt. Yet still,

my God of infinite goodness, behold,

I, who am nothing but dust and ashes,

presume to speak to thee. Receive,

then, thy unworthy servant into the

A PRAYER BEFORE RECEIVING. 245

compassionate arms of thy rnercy, since

with so much love and solicitude thou

II hast labored for my conversion. I amnow sensible,, my God, that without

, thee I am nothing, nor can I do any-

[

thing : and that without the aid of thygrace, there is neither life nor salvation

I

for me. Cast, therefore, all my sins

out of thy sight, and with the tender-

ness of a loving Father, extend thyarms to receive an unworthy child, whoreturns to thee ; ancl let me effectually

experience the truth of the proj3het;

s

words, A sacrifice to God is an afflicted

spirit, and a contrite and humble heart

thou toilt not despise.

A Prayer before Receiving.

T is with fear and trembling,

Jesus, that I approach thy ban-

quet, having nothing to confide

in but thy goodness and mercy, beingof myself a sinner, destitute of all virtue.

My soul and body are defiled with manycrimes : my thoughts and tongue in dis-

order, and under no restraint. In this

246 A PRAYER BEFORE RECEIVING.

wretched condition I hasten to thee,

most compassionate physician, the foun-

tain of all goodness, that I may behealed. I fly under the wings of thypaternal protection, hoping thou wilt bemy Saviour, though I dare not appearbefore thee as my judge. To thee I

expose all my wounds, to thee I discover

all my shame. My sins, I confess, are

so innumerable and enormous, as to

make me despair, if thou didst not en-

courage me to hope in thy mercies,

which are infinite. Look, therefore, onme with the eyes of compassion, LordJesus Christ, eternal King, God andMan, who wast crucified for the sins of

men. Have mercy on me, thou inexhaus-

tible fountain of goodness. Hail, saving

Victim, offered on the cross for me andall mankind. Hail, generous and pre-

cious blood, flowing from thy wounds,

Jesus ! and washing away the sins of

the world. Kemember thy creature,

Lord, whom thou hast redeemed by thy

death. I am truly sorry for my offences,

of which I am resolved to amend.

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION. 247

Wash away, therefore, all niy sins, andblot out my iniquities, that, purified in

soul and body, I may worthily approachthe Holy of Holies ; and grant that thy

precious body and blood, which I now,though unworthy, am about to receive,

may avail to a full discharge from the

guilt of all my crimes, a victory over

my evil thoughts, the beginning of a

new life, the seed of good works, and a

sure protection of soul and body against

all the snares of my enemies.

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION.

^£3E T the time of communion,go up to the rail, and takeup the towel and hold it

before you. Whilst the

clerk says the Confiteor, hum-bly confess your sins, and beg

God's pardon for them. Whenthe priest turns about to give the

absolution, receive it with ypur headbowed down, as from the hand of the

248 INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION.

invisible High Priest, whom you are

going to receive.

When the priest holds up a particle

of the blessed sacrament, with these

words, Ecce Agnus Dei, &c. : Beholdthe Lamb of God, behold him who taketh

away the sins of the world, humbly beg,

with a lively confidence in the merits

of his death and passion, that he wouldtake away your sins.

When the priest repeats three times,

Domine, non sum dignus, &c. : Lord,I am not worthy thou shouldst enter un-

der my roof/ speak only the word, andmy soul shall be healed, say the samewith him in your heart, and humbleyourself exceedingly through the sense

of your unworthiness and sins ; but let

this be joined with a lively confidence

in him, who can raise you up, and per-

fectly heal your soul by his only word.

When the priest gives you the blessed

sacrament, saying, The body of ourLord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul to

life everlasting, Amen ; receive it with

a lively faith, a profound humility, and

INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMMUNION. 249

a heart inflamed with love. At the time

of your receiving, let your head be erect,

your mouth opened moderately wide,

and your tongue a little advanced, so as

to rest upon your under lip, that the

priest may conveniently convey the

blessed sacrament into your mouth;which being done, shut your mouth; let

the sacred host moisten a little uponyour tongue, and then swallow it downas soon as you can, and afterwards ab-

stain a while from spitting. If the host

should chance to stick to the roof of

your mouth, be not disturbed ; neither

must you put your finger into yourmouth to remove it, but gently andquietly remove it with your tongue, andso convey it down. And then return

to your place, and endeavor to entertain,

as well as you can, the guest whom youhave received.

INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMMUNION.

PEND at least a quarter of anhour after communion, in devo-

tion suitable to that occasion. It

250 INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMMUNION.

would be a great abuse to turn yourback immediately upon your Saviour,

by going away, as some do, and think-

ing no more of what you have beendoing. Particularly, I recommend to

you three things after communion. 1st.

To cast yourself down in spirit at

the feet of your Lord, whom you havereceived ; to adore him, praise him, andgive him thanks for coming to so un-

worthy a sinner ; and to invite all hea-

ven and earth to join with you in prais-

ing and magnifying his holy name. 2clly.

To make an offering of your heart andsoul, and of your whole being to him,

that you may henceforward love himand serve him forever. 3dly. To pre-

sent him all your petitions for all the

graces that you stand in need of, andto make good use of this favorable op-

portunity to pray heartily for yourself

and for your friends, and for the wholeworld.

PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 251

PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION.

J£ RETURN thee thanks,

eternal Father, for having,

out of thy»3\^S out oi thy pure mercy,

it°C^ without any desert of mine,

|- been pleased to feed my soul

with the body and blood of

thine only Son ; and beseech

252 PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION.

thee, that this holy communion maynot be to my condemnation, butavailable to the effectual remission of all

my sins. May it strengthen my faith

;

encourage me in the practice of goodworks ; deliver me from my vicious cus-

toms; remove from me all concupis-

cence;perfect me in charity, patience,

humility, obedience, and all other vir-

tues. May it secure me against all

the snares of my enemies, visible andinvisible

;prudently moderate my incli-

nations, both carnal and spiritual

;

closely unite me to thee, the only true

God, and finally settle me in unchange-

able bliss, by admitting me, though anunworthy sinner, to be a guest at that

divine banquet, where thou, with the

Son and the Holy Ghost, art the true

light, eternal fulness, everlasting joy,

and perfect happiness of all the saints,

-through the same Jesus Christ our

Lord, Amen.


An Act of Praise and Adoration.

I PRAISE and glorify thy blessed

name, my God, for the many fa-

vors thou hast now bestowed on ine,

and for all the blessings wherewith thou

hast enriched iny soul, after the manymiseries and wants I have suffered,

when, by my pleasures and passions, I

had departed from thee ! Alas ! wasnot I most miserably blind, to expect

content and happiness, when, by myfolly, neglect, and indevotion, I remov-ed myself at a distance from thee ? Butsuch was thy goodness, as to withdrawme from the precipice whither I wasrunning

;enlightening me with thy ray,

and, by the inspirations of thy grace, in-

viting me to return. Thou hast pardon-

ed all my sins;and, to crown all these

favors, thou hast now come to visit me,that thou mightest forever shine in me,and I in thee. my God, be thou for-

ever blessed for all these infinite mercies.

Bless the Lord, my soul, and let all that

is within me praise and magnify his holy22


name. Bless the Lord, and see thouforget not the favors he has done thee.

\

He has pardoned thee all thy offences,

and cured thy infirmities. He has pre-

served thee from death, and crownedthee with the effects of his bountv. Hehas satisfied thy hunger with goodthings, and replenished thee with all

the blessings thou couldst desire. Andoughtest not thou to resolve on a changeof life, and, renewing thy forces, grow !

young like the eagle, in his service ?

Let thy grace, then, Lord, be ever at

hand to assist me, for the experience of

my own weakness makes me fearful

;

and if thou support me not, I most cer-

tainly shall fall again. Be thou there-

fore my shield and defence. Grant me I

a firm and constant faith ; and strength-

en it not only with respect to this rnys- I

tery, but all other Christian truths and I

principles of eternal life; that, by the !

help thereof, I may overcome all such I

difficulties as I may have to encounter

in my journey to that state of bliss for

which I was created; as it is by such a


faith those who, for my example, are

gone before me, have triumphed over

their enemies, done justice, and obtain-

ed the promises.

An Act of Hope.

I ADORE thy infinite greatness,

divine majesty, who fillestboth hea-

ven and earth, and art adored by all

the blessed spirits, angels, and saints,

who, without ceasing, praise and cry out

before thee, "Holy, Holy, Holy, LordGod of Sabaoth." Is it possible thoushouldst condescend to visit the mostunworthy of all thy servants, and desire

to dwell within him ? If the heavens,

nay the heaven of heavens, cannot con-

tain thee, how much less this habita-

tion, which I have prepared for thy

reception ? But thy goodness, great

God, knows well how to humble itself,

when it is for our good. Thou know-est how to conceal the dazzling splen-

dor of thy glory, and condescend to

our weak capacity, that so thou mayest


communicate thyself to us the morefreely. This thou didst not only at the

time of thy adorable incarnation, whenthou madest thyself like to us, the moreforcibly to attract our love to thee,

but also when thou didst institute this

mystery, wherein thou gavest thyself

to us for the food and nourishment of

our souls, the more closely to unite us

to thyself, and make us aspire to that

celestial banquet thou hast prepared for

the blessed in heaven. God, grant

me the grace, so eagerly to long after

this eternal banquet, that the desire of

hereafter enjoying it may make medespise all the goods and pleasures of

this life, and labor incessantly to pre-

pare myself, till I am happily admitted

amongst thy guests. There is one reso-

lution which I here make in thy pres-

ence, viz., to renounce all whatsoever

my irregular and corrupt affections in-

cline me to ; for they often press me to

forsake the way of thy commandments,and put me in danger of forfeiting mytitle to eternal happiness : but, behold,


I now desire to wean my heart fromthem entirely, that I may place mywhole love and confidence in thee

;

alone. For this end, I am firmly re-

solved to watch over all my actions,

fly from sin, and avoid whatever maybe displeasing to thee. I will labor to

work out my salvation by observing, thy

precepts, and as I have resolved, so I

hope to be faithful to thee ; but this

resolution I acknowledge myself unable

to perform, without the help of thy

grace, which I most humbly implore.

Jesus, save me : conduct me throughthe ways of thy commandments, in

which I now begin to walk, with cour-

age and perseverance. Incline my heart

to love thy divine truths; divert myeyes from beholding vain objects; enli-

ven and strengthen me in the paths of

virtue and good works, and attract meso powerfully to thyself, that I may fol-

low thee as far as heaven, where thoulivest and reignest for all eternity.

22*


An Act of Love.

OMY God, what return can I makefor so signal a favor, or what shall

I do to acknowledge it as muchas it deserves ? Is it possible I shouldnot continually love thee after such mani-fest proofs of thy love ? Thou hast loved

me to such an excess as to lay downthy life for my sake, and shall I not

make so small a return to such bound-less love, as to live only for thee ? Thouhast communicated thyself at present

entirely to me, and shall not I fromhenceforth remain wholly thine ? Per-

mit me not, God, to be ungrateful, or

insensible of thy love and my own sal-

vation : I protest, therefore, in thy pres-

ence, that I will for the future be faith-

ful to thee, and never depart from thee

by the least disobedience to thy law.

I will never forget thy bounty, nor the

favor thou hast done me, in admitting

me to partake of thy mercy. I will

love thee with my whole heart, for

thou, Lord, art my strength, my


support, my refuge, and deliverer, nay,

my God, and my all. What is there in

heaven or in earth, I should love in

preference to thee, the God of my heart,

the inheritance and only happiness I

pretend to ! Of thee I have made choice,

and nothing shall prevail on me to makeme change.

An Oblation.

~T"TT"HAT pledge can I give, mySaviour, as an earnest of the

love which I have now engagedto thee ? I have nothing worthy of thee,

and if I had, I have nothing but whatis thine on several accounts ; but suchis thy goodness, as to be content to

accept from us what is already thine.

Wherefore, behold, I here offer to thee

my body and soul, which are both nowsanctified by the honor of thy divine

presence; I consecrate them to thee

forever, since thou hast chosen them for

thy temple;my body to be continually

employed in thy service, and never more


to become an instrument of sin; mysoul to know thee, to love thee, and beevermore faithful to thee. Bless,

Lord, the present I here make thee." Bless, Lord, this house.

;; Permitnot my body to be any more defiled

with sensual delights, nor my soul by awill to commit any mortal sin : for as I

am now resolved to serve thee with bodyand soul, I will take pains to correct

their evil inclinations. I will declare

war against myself, renounce my wont-

ed pleasures, my delights, my passions,

my concupiscence, my anger, my pride,

my self-love, my own will, and lastly,

whatever else may offend thee.

A Prayer for Perseverance.

PRESERVE, Lord, forever in mysoul, the holy resolutions where-

with thou hast now inspired me,and grant me grace faithfully to put themin execution. Without thy aid I can donothing ; I therefore earnestly crave thyassistance, to conquer all the difficulties

I may meet with in the way of my sal-


vation. Regard me with the eyes of

mercy ; have compassion on my weak-ness ; and strengthen me daily with

thy grace. glorious Virgin, unite

with me in giving thanks to thy beloved

Son, who has restored me to his grace,

and refreshed my soul with the banquetof his most precious body. Offer himall the grateful service thou didst himin this life, to supply the defects of mydevotion; and obtain of him that hedepart not from me without leaving a

large benediction behind him for my soul.

Holy angels ! ye ministering spirits of

God, behold the only Son of the eternal

Father, whom you adored at his en-

trance into the world. become nowpetitioners in my behalf, that I mayhenceforth serve him with the samespirit and truth, as you did whilst heremained on earth, and with the samecheerfulness as you now do in his celes-

tial kingdom. All ye men and women,saints of God, behold here within mybreast your Lord, the origin and rewardof all your virtuous actions, and let all


your prayers accompany mine to the

throne ; that by his grace I may follow

your steps in the exact performance of

every duty, till abounding in good works,

I may at length be admitted into yoursociety, and possess my Jesus for all

eternity.

Conclusion.

GRACIOUSLY hear all my prayers,

good Jesus ; hide me within thywounds, and there protectme from

all my enemies. let nothing ever

separate me from thee. Call me to thee

at the hour of my death, that, with thysaints, I may praise thee forever. Andnow, Lord Jesus, I go from thee for

awhile, but I hope not without thee, whoart my comfort and the ultimate happi-

ness of my soul. To thy love and pro-

tection I recommend myself, as well as

my brethren, my relatives, my country,

my friends, and my enemies. Love us,

Lord, change our hearts, and trans-

form us into thyself. May I be wholly

employed in thee and for thee : and may

DEVOUT ASPIRATIONS. 263

thy love be the end of all my thoughts,

words, and actions, who livest and reign-

est forever and ever. Amen.

The following Aspirations may not be

unseasonablefor such as have an Op-portunity on the Day of Communion,

if said with Recollection ofSpirit andAttention.

264 DEVOUT ASPIRATIONS

NLIGHTEN the eyes of mysoul, Lord, with the rays

of divine faith and wisdom,that I may ever look on

thee as the way, the rule, andexample of all my thoughts,

words, and actions.

What am I, Lord, or whatclaim can I have on thy bounty, that

thou shouldst thus pursue me with thyblessings ? Yes, thou hast created mefor thyself, and mayest thou alone bethe rest and centre of my soul.

G-ood Jesus, my hope and only hap-

piness, I here return thee thanks for all

thy sufferings; and beg that I mayever find a place of refuge in thy sacred

wounds against the assaults of all myenemies : imprint the memory of them,

I beseech thee, so deeply in my heart,

that I may ever love thee ; and in all mysufferings never forget what thou hast

suffered for me.

Take from me all self-love, and grant

me a perfect love of thee, that I mayhereafter be more devoted to thy ser-

AFTER COMMUNION. 265

vice ; and suffer nothing to prevent mefrom a faithful discharge of my duty.

that I could ever remember thee !

ever think of thee ! and love thee only !

that my senses were ever shut against

vain and sinful objects,, and my mindfreed from all fruitless solicitude, that

1 might ever abide in thee ! Hence-forth I will, with the utmost diligence,

seek thee, my only good; my desires

shall be fixed on thee alone, and all myactions shall be directed to thy glory.

1 resign myself into thy hands, God,desiring that thy holy will may be donein and by me, both now and forever.

Be thou my instructor, director, andhelper on all occasions, that I mayneither do, speak, think, nor desire any-thing but what is according to thy goodwill and pleasure.

II. Grant thy servant, Lord, under-

standing, that he may learn the wayof thy commandments, and lay aside all

interest besides that of heaven.

sweet Jesus, thou fountain of good-ness, direct my steps in thy paths, and

23


teach me to do thy will. Inspire mewith courage to take up my cross andfollow thee. Disengage my heart fromall unprofitable cares and vain affections,

and though I dwell among creatures, yet

may I ever live in thee, and for thee.

Grant me true fervor of spirit, and en-

kindle in my breast the fire of divine

love, that I may find no rest but in thee.

How sweet, Lord, is thy Spirit

!

how pleasant to my ear are the wordsof thy mouth ! that I could ever beattentive to them, and fulfil thy law !

May I die to the world and all its con-

cupiscences ; and let the greatness of

thy love make all that is earthly appearto me as nothing. Protect me against

my enemies, and in all danger come to

my defence ; make haste to help me,

God, and say tomy soul, I am thy health

and salvation.

Remember thou art my Father, andhave compassion on my distressed soul

:

clothe it with all virtues, and feed it

with thy grace ; for it belongs to a fa-

ther to be careful of his child.


As it is in thee I live, sweet Jesus, so

it is in thee I desire to die • and both

living and dying I will ever profess that

thou art good, and that thy mercy en-

dureth forever.

III. sweetness of my life, and life

of my soul, withdraw my heart andthoughts from all creatures, that they

may find no rest but in thee

!

My God;how long dost thou permit

me to wander from thee? When wilt

thou consume in me all that is corrupt

and contrary to thy will? Draw meafter thee, I beseech thee, that I maywalk cheerfully in the way of thy pre-

cepts. Make me according to thine

own heart, and let my soul be now thyhabitation forever.

My soul without thee is dry like earth

without water ; moisten it, I beseechthee, with the dew of heaven, and grant

me thy blessing from the land of the

living. Wound my heart with thy love,

that it may relish no earthly objects,

but entirely depend on thy will.

Hail, dear Redeemer, whom I now de-


sire to adore with the spirit and affec-

tion of thy elect; to thy direction I

commit all the motions of my soul.

Ah ! when will the day of eternity

appear, thai, liberated from this prison

of flesh, I may join with the saints in

thy everlasting praise ? sweet light,

inflame my heart with the fire of celes-

tial charity, and let its divine flames

consume my bowels.

IV. that I could give thee, dear

Lord, as much praise, glory, and honor,

as is given thee by the angels and bles-

sed spirits in heaven! But as this, in

my present state of existence, is impos-

sible, accept, at least, my desire andgood will. Deliver me from every thing

that is contrary to thy will, and dispose

my soul for thy greater glory.

Into thy hands I surrender myself,

my Creator, and, laying aside all pri-

vate wishes, desire to depend on thee,

not only as to the whole state of mybody and soul, but also as to all the ac-

cidents and events thou mayest please

to appoint for me, asking nothing more


but that thy name may be glorified for-

ever.

If it be more for thy honor that I

should suffer interior desolation, I accept

it from thy hand, convinced that what-

ever I suffer in my soul;for love of thee,

is for my good.

my God, how little art thou known,how little loved! Come to me, dear

Lord ! and if thou nowhere else findest

rest, infuse thyself wholly into my soul.

May the fire of thy love, God, ever

burn in my heart, and increase to such

a flame, as may consume not only the

sacrifice, but the altar also.

Let nothing be my comfort but thou,

my Lord Jesus, nor any thing afflict mebut my sins, and whatever is displeasing

to thy divine Majesty.

blessed Jesus ! Life eternal ! bywhom I live, and without whom I die

;

grant I may be united to thee : that in

the embraces of thy holy love and divine

will, I may rest forever.

When shall I behold thee, sweetLord ? When shall I appear before thy

23*

270 THE ROSARY OF JESUS.

face ? When shall I see thee in the

land of the living ? Till then I sigh andbewail my banishment, desiring to bedissolved, and be with thee.

Name ot 0esus*

N the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the

Holy Ghost. Amen.Thou, Lord, wilt open

my lips.

And my tongue shall an-

nounce thy praise.

Incline unto my aid, God.

Lord, hasten to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the

Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen.

THE ROSARY OF JESUS. 271

THE FIYE MYSTERIES OF THE FIRST PART.

I. Incarnation of'our Lord Jesus Christ

.

The Meditation.

HE Son of God assumes hu-

man flesh out of the pure

blood of the blessed Maryever Virgin, and is made

man in her womb.Jesus, Son of David, have

mercy on us. [Ten times.]



II. Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Meditation.

HE Saviour of the world is

born for our redemption;

His Mother remaining a Vir-

gin.

jjlftfi^ Jesus, Son of David,

have mercy on us. \Ten times^\



III. Circumcision of our Lord Jesus

Christ

TJie Meditation.

UR Saviour being eight daysold, begins to suffer for our

sins, and his blood already

flows for us. He is circum-

cised according to the law, as

if he had been himself a sin-

Jesus, Son of David,

mercy on us. \Ten times.]


have

274 THE ROSARY OF JESUS,

IV. Our Lord Jesus Christ found in

the Temple.

The Meditation.

^ôUR Saviour being twelve

years old, shows himself

more than mortal by his

knowledge and wisdom,teaching the teachers of the

Jews.

Jesus, Son of David, havemercy on us. [ Ten times.']



V. Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Meditation.

HE Saviour of the world is

baptized by St. John. Theeternal Father declares himto be his Son.

Jesus, Son of David,have mercy on us. [Ten

times.'j



The Prayer.

JESUS, whose name is above all

names, that at the name of Jesus

every knee may bend, of those

that are in heaven, on earth, or in hell.

Who, at the time appointed by the

Eternal Wisdom, assumedst flesh in the

womb of the blessed Mary ever Virgin,

and thus becamest the Son of David.

Whose birth gladdened men and angels.

Who began so early to suffer for us,

and to shed on our account that blood

that washeth away the sins of the world.

Whose immortal wisdom appeared at

the age of twelve years. To whose bap-

tism all heaven was attentive. Grantus to celebrate those mysteries to thy

honor and our own salvation: Who,with the Father and the Holy Ghost,

livest and reignest, one God, for all

eternity. Amen.


THE FIVE MYSTERIES OF THE SECOND PART.

I. Our Saviour washes Ms Disciples'

Feet

The Meditation.

;UE, Saviour, to show us ant example of humility, andhow much we ought to serve

each other, descendeth so

low as to wash the feet of his

disciples, though he is the Godwhom heaven and earth adore.

Jesus of Nazareth, Kingof the Jews, have mercy on us. \Tentimes.

]

G-lory be to the Father, &c.24


II. Prayer of our Lord in the Garden.

The Meditation.

^PôUR Saviour, knowing his

trff^M^ Passi°n *° be now at hand,

^^^^^ is so affected with the

g^Ma^^ thoughts of it, and so op-

Ill'^ Pressec'-w^ ôa(^ °^ our

(gilM sins, that he prays to his Al-

mighty Father that the bitter^° chalice might pass awây from

him.

Jesus ofNazareth, King of the Jews,

have mercy on us. [Ten times.]


THE ROSARY OF JESUS, 279

III. Our Saviour apprehended.

Tlie Meditation,

!^p oUR Saviour, as if he hadbeen no more than man,yields to the power of men,and permits himself, for our

redemption, to be apprehendedas if he were a malefactor.

Jesus of Nazareth, Kingof the Jews, have mercy on us.

\Ten times .]



The Meditation.

§SP80ft^R Saviour, being torn with

scourges and pierced with

thorns to expiate our sins,

is obliged to carry the Cross

on which he is to die, and

moves on, laboring with sor-

row, towards the place of execu-

tion.

Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,

have mercy on us. [Ten times.]



V. Descent of our Saviour into Hell

The Meditation.

HE soul of our Saviour,

being separated by deathfrom the body, descends to

that place where the Saints

were expecting his redemption.Jesus of Nazareth, King

of the Jews, have mercy on us.

\Ten times.] Glory be to, &c.

The Prayer.

JESUS, whose name is aboveall names, that in the name ofJesus every knee may bend, of

24*


those that are in heaven, on earth, or

in hell;whose mysterious humiliations

and sorrows, appointed for thee on ac-

count of our sins, appeared in the

washing of the feet of thy servants

and creatures ; in thy distress andprayer and bloody sweat ; in thy being

secured, and brought before courts as a

criminal ; in thy bearing the load of the

cross ; and in the separation of thy soul

from thy body, and its descent into the

regions below;grant to us to celebrate

those mysteries to thy honor and our

own salvation : who, with the Father

and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest

one God, for all eternity. Amen.


THE FIVE MYSTERIES OF THE THIRD PART.

I. Resurrection of our Lord Jesus

Christ

The Meditation.

I

HE soul of our Lord Jesus

Christ, which had been sep-

arated from the body, is re-

united to it by a miracle of

the Almighty power, and that

body which had been dead,

rises to die no more.

Jesus, Son of the living God,have mercy on us. [Ten times.]



II. Ascension of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

The Meditation.

gj^l^^HE body of our Lord Jesusîwk^h^H Christ ascends into the high-

est heaven, where the Sav-

iour of mankind sits at the

right hand of God, the Al-

mighty Father.

Jesus, Son of the living

God, have mercy on us. [Ten

times.]



III Our Lord Jems Christ sends downthe Holy Ghost.

The Meditation.

§§f^S?^TJR Saviour, now seated onthe right hand of God, his

Almighty Father, sends

down the Holy Ghost, to in-

spire and animate his disciples,

that they may be qualified to

publish to mankind his cross andhis glory.

Jesus, Son of the living God, havemercy on us. [Ten tiniest]

• Glory be to the Father, &c.


IV. Our Lord Jesus Christ crowningthe Blessed Virgin and Saints.

The Meditation.

UR Saviour, having by his

passion, resurrection, andascension, opened the wayfor the sons of Adam to

heaven, which they had lost

by sin, bestows on his Motherand his saints crowns of immor-tal glory.

Jesus, Son of the living God, havemercy on us. \Ten times.]



V. Our Lord Jesus Christ coming to

Judgment

Tlie Meditation.

JJR Saviour will come in

power and majesty to judgethe living and the dead,

and to render to every one

according to his works.

Jesus, Son of the living

God, have mercy on us. [Ten^°

times.,]



The Prayer.

RSffl JESUS, whose name is above all

JljgSJ names, that in the name of Jesus

every knee may bend, of those\

that are in heaven, on earth, or in hell

:

whose murdered body consigned to the

grave, the Almighty raised from death,

glorious and immortal : who by thy as-

cension triumphedst over death, andleddest captivity captive : who according

to thy promise didst send down the

Spirit that proceedeth from the Father

and Thee, the Comforter and Enlivener;

who, stretching forth the bounty of thyAlmighty hand, didst shed upon the

chosen children of Adam that glory

which neither eye hath seen, nor ear

hath heard, nor hath it entered into the

heart of man, and who will come forth,

in power and majesty, to judge the liv-

ing and the dead, before whose throne

all mortals shall appear : Grant us to

celebrate those mysteries to thy honor

and our own salvation: who, with the

Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and


reignest one G-od;

for all eternity.

Amen.

The repetition of the above Prayers

for meditation is not absolutely neces-

\sary. Those who cannot meditate onthe mysteries, may say the Creed before-

)hand, in this Rosary, and in that of the

Blessed Virgin. The works belonging

to them do not bind under any sin.

Those who are in the Society of the

Rosary of the Names ofJesus, may have, aplenary indulgence on New Year's daythe same that is granted in the year

of Jubilee. Also on every second Sun-day in the month; at the time of being

received into the society / at the article

of death y and on each day of the fif-teen mysteries.

ON THE PASSION OP OUR SAVIOUR JESUS

CHRIST.

to %

GOOD and gracious Jesus !

who being most high in the

glory of thy Father, andequal to his divine essence,

didst vouchsafe of thy infinite

charity to be made man, to beborn in a stable, to be laid in a

manger, to be circumcised, andinto Egypt ; afterwards to be

FIFTEEN MEDITATIONS. 291

baptized^ to be tempted, to fast, to watch,

to teach the ignorant, and to heal the

diseased ; in thy whole life to suffer con-

tinual afflictions and persecutions ; andat length voluntarily suffer death uponthe cross,—and all this for me, and suchwretched creatures as myself.

OG-OOD and gracious Jesus ! whohaving eaten the paschal lambwith thy dearly beloved disciples,

didst arise from supper, gird thyself

with a towel, pour water into a basin,

and on bended knees didst humbly washthe feet of thy disciples, and wipe themwith thy own hands

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! whowhen the time of thy death ap-

proached, didst bequeath a mostexcellent legacy to thy children, leaving

us thy most sacred body to be our meat,

and thy most precious blood to be ourdrink: no wit can reach, nor under-

standing penetrate the bottomless depthof this thy charity.

292 MEDITATIONS ON

OG-00D and gracious Lord ! who,entered into the garden of Olives,

beganst to fear and to be heavy

;

whereupon thou saidst to thy disciples,

My soul is sorrowful even unto death,

and then leaving them, kneeledst uponthe ground, and falling flat on thy face,

prayedst to thy Father, If it be possible,

let this chalice pass from me. And yet,

with perfect submission, wholly resign-

edst thyself to him, saying, Father, not

my will but thine be done; and at

length, through most painful agony, thyafflicted and fainting body sweateddrops of blood.

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! who,inflamed with an ineffable desire

to redeem me, didst go to meetthine enemies, and sufferedst Judas the

traitor to kiss thee, and thyself to betaken and bound with cords, and as a

malefactor disgracefully led by the

basest of the people to Annas, wherewith admirable meekness thou receiv-

edst a cruel stroke on thy face, most

Christ's passion. 293

unjustly given thee by a vile wretchand slave.

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! whowast led fast bound, like a noto-

rious malefactor, from Annas to

the house of Caiaphas}the High Priest,

where the Jews most unjustly accused

thee, and with barbarous insolence spat

upon thy meek and amiable face, buffet-

ing thy cheeks and blindfolding thine

eyes, scornfully mocking, and mali-

ciously affronting thee with injuries all

that night.

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! whoin the morning wast brought to

the presence of Pilate, and with a

most sweet and humble countenance,

casting thine eyes down, stoodst before

him in the judgment-hall; and whenthou wast most falsely calumniated bythe Jews, and many insults and provo-

cations given thee, thou meekly heldst

thy peace, and patiently sufferedst their

unjust proceedings.25*

294 MEDITATIONS ON

OGrOOD and gracious Jesus, whowast sent from Pilate to Herod

:

he out of vain curiosity coveting

to see some miracle at thy hand,

demanded many things of thee, andthe Jews continuing their perverseness

against thee ; but to all these thy meek-ness replied not a word : wherefore Her-od and all his court despised thee, andputting on thee a white garment in

scorn and derision, sent thee thus backagain to Pilate. unspeakable humil-

ity and obedience to the will of thine

enemies ! thou wentst forth and return-

edst again, and wast led up and downfrom place to place without gainsaying,

but suffering them to do whatever they

would.

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! whoin the judgment-hall wast strip-

ped naked, and without any com-passion, most cruelly scourged. There

was thy blessed virginal and tender

flesh cut with whips and torn with

stripes, altogether mangled and deform-

CHRIST S PASSIOX. 295

eel, and made black and blue withwounds

; so that the streams of thymost precious blood ran down on everyside upon the earth.

GOOD and gracious Jesus ! after

Vy thy sharp and bloody scourging^

to put thee to more shame andconfusion, as also to increase thy tor-

rnents, they clothed thee with an old

purple garment, and plaiting a crown of

thorns, pressed it on thy holy head, till

the sharp points pierced thy temples,

and thy most precious blood ran downand covered thy face and neck

;they

gave thee in derision a reed for thysceptre, and kneeling down before thee

in scorn, saluted thee, saying, Hail,

King of the Jews! then took they the

reed out of thy hand, and with it struck

thy sacred head, and again spat uponthy sacred face.

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! whowast brought forth from Pilate to

the Jews to be gazed on, wearing

296 MEDITATIONS ON

the crown ofthorns and purple garment,Pilate showing thee to the people, andsaying, Behold the man ! but they cried

out, with a loud voice and insatiable

malice, Crucify him, crucify him ! -

OGOOD and gracious Jesus ! thouwast delivered up to the will andpleasure of the Jews, who imme-

diately led thee to be crucified, laying

thy heavy cross upon thy sore andbloody shoulders

;thus didst thou hum-

bly bear thine own cross, whose weightpained thee excessively, and coming to

the place all weary and breathless, thou

refusedst not to taste wine mingled withgall and myrrh, which was the only re-

lief there given thee.

OG-OOD and gracious Jesus ! being

come to Mount Calvary, thou wastagain stripped naked, when thy

wounds were renewed by the violent

pulling off of thy clothes. What bitter

pains didst thou suffer, when thou wastfastened to the cross with rough nails,


and the joints of thy limbs stretched as

on a rack ! with what love and sweet-

ness ofcharity didst thou sufferthy handsand feet to be bored through, whence,as from a fountain, thy precious blood

gushed out.

OG-00D and gracious Jesus ! who,hanging on the cross between twothieves, wast assailed with blas-

phemies, and after so long a continuance

of thy tortures, prayedst to thy Father

to forgive them, and even when their

fury was at the highest, didst exercise

the greatest bounty, promising Paradise

to the repenting thief, and bequeathing

thy dearly beloved mother (who pierced

with sorrow stood by the cross) to thy

beloved disciple John, and in him to

us all, to be our mother; and after

thou hadst suffered for three long hours

intolerable pains and extreme thirst, they

gave thee vinegar to drink, which, whenthou hadst tasted, bowing down thyvenerable head, thou yieldedst up thyspirit.

298 MEDITATIONS ON

OG-00D and gracious Jesus !

good shepherd ! thus thou bestow-edst thy life for thy sheep

;and

even after death still thou wouldst suf-

fer for us, the sacred side of thy deadbody being opened with a spear, out of

which flowed water and blood. Thusat last ended all thy sufferings; andthy enemies having slaked their thirst

for thy blood, and being gone away,thy disciples came and took thy immac-ulate body down from the cross, reposed

it on the knees of thy blessed Mother,

and after all imaginable expressions of

piety, reverence, and love, wrapped it

up in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre.

The Prayer.

MILD and innocent Lamb of

God, thus heartily thou didst

love me, these things thou didst

for me, these pains most patiently andlovingly thou sufferedst for me. Whatshall I render unto thee ? I adore andglorify thee, I praise thee and give thee


thanks, with all the powers of my soul.

Jesus, Son of the living God, King of

I

kings, and Lord of lords. Hail, mostglorious Redeemer of our souls, whose

I

death quickens and gives life to the

,

world.

blessed Saviour, have mercy on me,for thy goodness' sake

;forgive me all

my sins, destroy and mortify in mewhatever displeaseth thee. Make meone according to thy heart, and grant

that to the utmost of my power I maymost diligently imitate thy holy life.

blessed Father of heaven ! behold I

offer the most holy incarnation, life, andpassion of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus

Christ, in full satisfaction for all mysins, and perfect amendment of my life.

Grant, most merciful Father, for the

merits of thy only-begotten Son, to the

living mercy and grace, and to the

souls departed, rest and life everlasting.

Amen.

Ultima of tfie JSIessetr gacva?went

us.j^frJÔKD, have mercy on .




& God the Father, Ore-]

ator of the world,

God the Son, Kedeemerof mankind,

God the Holy Ghost, Perfecter f 2of the elect, ^

Sacred Trinity, Three persons in §

one God,j g

LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

Jesus, God and man in two na-N

tures and one divine person,

Jesus, our wonderful God, whofor our sake vouchsafest to subject

thy Almighty self to the power of

man, by immediately descending

upon our altar when the priest

pronounces the words of consecra-

tion,

Jesus, our incomprehensible God,

who though the heaven of heavenscannot contain thy immensity, yet

vouchsafest personally to reside in

our churches, and dwell amongstus in a small tabernacle,

Jesus, our Sovereign King, who,though thy throne above is contin-

ually surrounded by glorified min-istering spirits, yet vouchsafest

here, in our most solemn proces-

sions, to be accompanied by suchmean attendants as ourselves,

Jesus, our heavenly physician,

who descendest from thy palace

of immortal bliss to our houses of

clay, to visit us on our sick-beds,

26

302 LITANY OF THE

and give us thyself to comfort ourN

sorrows,

Jesus, our glorious God, whosittest at the right hand of thyeternal Father, adored by innu-

merable angels, and encompassedwith the splendor of inaccessible

light,

Jesus, our gracious God, who,condescending to the weakness of

our nature, coverest thy glory un-

der the familiar forms of bread andwine, and permittest thyself to beseen, touched, and tasted by wretch-ed sinners,

Jesus, our gracious God, who,concealing the awful brightness of

thy Majesty under such low andhumble veils, sweetly invitest us

to approach thy person, lay openour miseries, and deliver our peti-

tions into thy hands,

Jesus, our gracious God, who, to

communicate thy divine nature to

miserable sinners, humblest thyself

to descend into our breasts, and, by

BLESSED SACRAMENT.

an inconceivable union, become oneN

with us,

Jesus, the bread of life, that camedown from heaven, of which who-ever eats shall live for ever,

Jesus, the heavenly manna,whose sweetness nourishes thy

elect in the desert of this world,

Jesus, the food of angels, whosedeliciousness replenishes our hearts

with celestial joys,

Jesus, the lamb without spot,

who art every day sacrificed, andyet always living : every day eaten,

and still remainest entire,

Jesus, the good shepherd, wholayest down thy life for thy sheep,

and feedest them with thy ownbody,

Jesus, who, in this august andvenerable mystery, art become thy-

self the priest and sacrifice,

Jesus, who, in the sacred memo-rial of thy death, hast abridged all

thy wonders into one accumulativemiracle,

304 LITANY OF THE

Jesus, who, in this admirable 1

sacrament, hast contracted all thyblessings into one stupendousbounty,

Jesus, who, by this blessed fruit

of the tree of life, restorest us

again to immortality,

Jesus, who, by sanctifying the

most familiar of thy creatures, dost

inspire us with a pure desire of

thee, and teachest us the right use

of the rest,

Jesus, who, by becoming our

daily food in this life, preparest us

to feed on thee eternally in the

next,

Jesus, who, in this divine ban-

quet, givest us possession of thy

grace here, and a secure pledge of

our glory hereafter,

Have mercy, Lord, andpardon our

sins.

Have mercy, Lord, and hear our

prayer.

BLESSED SACRAMENT.

From presuming to measure the

"

depth of divine omnipotence by the

short line of human reason.

From presuming to interpret the

secrets of thy will by the fallible

rule of private judgment,

From all distractions and irreve-

rence in assisting at this awful sac-

rifice,

From neglecting to approach this

holy table, and from coming to it

negligently,

From an unworthy and fruitless >

receiving of this adorable sacra-

ment,

From all hardness of heart, andingratitude for so unspeakable a

blessing,

Through thy irresistible power,

which changeth the course of na-

ture as thou pleasest,

Through thy unsearchable wis-

dom, which disposeth all things in

perfect order,

Through thy infinite goodness, in

26*

306 LITANY OF THE

bestowing thyself on us in this in-

"

comprehensible mystery,

Through thy blessed body, bro-

ken for us on the cross, and really

given to us in the holy communion, -

Through thy precious blood, shed

for us on the cross, and substanti-

ally present in the chalice of bene-

diction,

We sinners beseech thee, hear us.

That we may always believe no-N

thing more reasonable than to sub-

mit reason to faith,

That, by this sacred oblation, wemay solemnly acknowledge thy in-

finite perfections and supreme do-

minion over all things,

That, by this sacred oblation, wemay humbly acknowledge our de-

pendence on thee and absolute sub-

jection to the disposal of thy will,

That we may eternally adore

thy goodness, who, standing in noneed of us, hast contrived such en-

BLESSED SACRAMENT.

dearing motives to make us love

thee, and be happy,

That we may thankfully complywith thy gracious desire of being

united to us, by a fervent desire of

being united to thee,

That, before we approach this

banquet of divine love, we may sin-

cerely endeavor to be reconciled

to thee, and to be in perfect charity

with all mankind,That, at the moment of receiving

thy sacred body, our souls maydissolve into reverence and love, to

attend on and entertain so glorious

a guest,

That, returning from this divine

banquet, we may recollect all our

thoughts to praise thee, and imme-diately apply our utmost endeav-

ors to the amendment of our lives,

That, by this heavenly preserva-

tive, our hearts may be healed of

their infirmities, and strengthened

against future relapses,

That, as we adore thee here by

308 LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

faith under these sacred veils, wemay hereafter behold thee face to

face, and eternally rejoice in thy

presence.


of the world, Spare us, Lord.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins

of the world, Hear us, Lord.


of the world, Have mercy on us.

Tlie Antiphon.

|HE glorious King of heaven andearth, to show the richness of

his bounty, hath prepared a

solemn and splendid feast, and calls

even the meanest of his' subjects to sit

down at his table, by his gracious in-

vitation : Come to me, all you that la-

bour and are oppressed, and I will

refresh you/ for my blood is drinkindeed.

V. Thou hast given us, Lord, breadfrom heaven. Alleluia

E. Replenished with all sweetness

and delight. Alleluia.

ACT OF CONSECRATION. 309


R. And let my cry come unto thee.

The Prayer.

OGOD, who in this wonderful sac-

rament hast left us a perpetual

memorial of thy passion, grant

us, we beseech thee, so to reverence

these sacred mysteries of thy body andblood, that we may continually perceive

in our souls the fruits of thy redemption

:

who, with the Father and the HolyGhost, livest and reignest, world with-

out end. Amen.

act of Qkomtcxatton to tfie

g>acretr Heart of IJesus*

JO thee, sacred heart of Jesus

!

to thee I devote and offer up mylife, thoughts, words, actions,

pains, and sufferings. May the least

310 ACT OF CONSECRATION.

part of my being be no longer employ-ed/save only in loving, serving, honor-ing, and glorifying thee. Wherefore,

most sacred heart ! be thou the sole

object of my love, the protector of mylife, the pledge of my salvation, and mysecure refuge at the hour of my death.

Be thou, most bountiful heart ! myjustification at the throne of God, andscreen me from his anger, which I haveso justly merited. In thee I place all

my confidence, and, convinced as I amof my own weakness, I rely entirely onthy bounty. Annihilate in me all that

is displeasing and offensive to thy pure

eye. Imprint thyself like a divine seal

on my heart, that I may ever remembermy obligation never to be separated

from thee. May my name also, I be-

seech thee by thy tender bounty, be

written in the book of life ; and may I

ever be a victim consecrated to thy

glory, ever burning with the flames of

thy pure love, and entirely penetrated

with it for eternity. In this I place all

my happiness : this is all my desire, to

LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART. 311

live and die in no other condition thanthat of thy devoted servant. Amen.

f OKD, have mercy on us.



Christ, hear us.


God, the Father of heav-

en, have mercy on us.

I'

312 LITANY OF THE

God, the Son, Kedeemer of

the world,

God, the Holy Ghost,

Holy Trinity, one God,Heart of Jesus,

Heart of Jesus, formed in the wombof the most blessed Virgin,

Heart of Jesus,hypostatically unit-

ed to the eternal word,

Heart of Jesus, sanctuary of the

Divinity,

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the

most Holy Trinity,

Heart of Jesus, temple of all sanc-

tity,

Heart of Jesus, fountain of all

graces,

Heart of Jesus, most meek,Heart of Jesus, most humble,

Heart of Jesus, most obedient,

Heart of Jesus, most chaste,

Heart of Jesus, furnace of love,

Heart of Jesus, source of contri-

tion,

Heart of Jesus, treasure of wisdom,

Heart of Jesus, ocean of bounty,y

SACRED HEART.

Heart of Jesus, throne of mercy,

Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,

Heart of Jesus, sorrowful in the1

garden,

Heart of Jesus, spent with a bloody

sweat,

Heart of Jesus, glutted with re-

proaches,

Heart of Jesus, consumed for our

sins,

Heart of Jesus, made obedient evenunto the death of the cross,

Heart ofJesus, piercedwith a lance,

Heart of Jesus, refuge of sinners,

Heart of Jesus, fortitude of thejust,

Heart of Jesus, comfort of the af-

flicted,

Heart of Jesus, main strength of

the tempted,

Heart of Jesus, terror of devils,

Heart of Jesus, sanctification of

hearts,

Heart of Jesus, perseverance of the

good,

Heart of Jesus, hope of the dying,

Heart of Jesus, joy of the blessed,27

314 LITANY OF THE

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the 1 J ^saints,

j

,eo

|i


of the world : Spare us, Jesus.


of the world : Hear us, Jesus.


of the world : Have mercy on us,

Jesus.

V. most sacred heart of Jesus, havemercy on us.

E. That we may worthily love thee

with our whole hearts.

Let us Pray.

GOD, who, out of thy immenselove, hast given to the faithful

the most sacred heart of thy Son,

our Lord, as the object of thy tender

affection;grant, we beseech thee, that

we may so love and honor this pledge

of thy love on earth, as by it to merit

the love both of thee and of thy gift,

and be eternally loved by thee and this

most blessed Heart in heaven : through

the same Jesus Christ, &c. Amen.

SACRED HEART. 315

Through thy sacred Heart, Jesus

!

overflowing with all sweetness, werecommend to thee ourselves and all

our concerns, our friends, benefactors,

parents and relatives ; our superiors andenemies ; take under thy protection this

house, city, and country; extend this

thy care to all such as are under anyaffliction, and to those who labor in

the agony and pangs of death ; cast aneye of compassion on the obstinate sin-

ner, and more particularly on the poorsuffering souls in purgatory ; as also onthose who are engaged and united withus in the holy confederacy of honoringand worshipping thee. Bless these in

particular, bountiful Jesus ! and bless

them according to the extent of thy in-

finite goodness, mercy, and charity.

Amen.

an invitation; or the devout soui/s

repair to the sacred heart.

All the faithful adorers of Jesus are

invited to repair, in spirit, every day,

I'

l -Mm

/

316 DEVOTIONS TO THE

at nine o'clock in the morning and four

in the evening, to his divine Heart, in

order to make in common some of the

following aspirations :

—

MOST sacred Heart of Jesus

!

have mercy on us.

divine Heart, wounded for

love of us ! let us ever be sensible of thy

bounty, and let thy love ever plead in

our favor.

Heart of Jesus, burning with the

love of us, inflame our hearts with the

love of thee.

Blessed be the most adorable Heartof Jesus, my God, for ever and ever.

No love, no heart, equals thine, mostloving Jesus.

may thy adorable Heart be for

ever praised, and all thanks, both in

time and eternity, paid to it.

adorable Heart of Jesus ! mayestthou be known, loved, and adored,

throughout the whole world.

divine fire, ever burning and never

ceasing, raise my heart into a flame,

SACRED HEART. 317

that I may always love, and never cease

from loving thee.

THE REPARATION OF HONOR TO THE SACRED

HEART.

To be made on the Feast itself, or at

any other time, in presence of the

Blessed Sacrament.

ISi^te MOST amiable and adora-

ble Heart of Jesus ; centre

of all hearts, glowing with

charity, and inflamed with

zeal for the interest of thyFather, and the salvation of

mankind ! Heart ever sensible

of our misery, and ever in mo-tion to redress our evils ! the real victim

27*

318 DEVOTIONS TO THE

of love in the holy Eucharist, and apropitiatory sacrifice for sin on the altar

of the cross ! seeing that the generality

of Christians make no other return for

those thy mercies than contempt of thyfavors, forgetfulness of their own ob-

ligations, and ingratitude to the best of

benefactors ; is it not just that we, thyservants, penetrated with the deepest

sense of the like indignities, should

enter upon a due and satisfactory rep-

aration of honor to thy most sacred

Majesty ? Prostrate, therefore, in body,

and humble in mind, before heaven andearth, we solemnly declare our utter

detestation and abhorrence of such con-

duct. Inexpressible, we know, was the

bitterness which the multitude of our

sins brought on thy tender heart ; in-

sufferable the weight of our iniquities,

which pressed thy face to the earth in

the garden of Olives ; and insurmount-

able thy anguish when expiring with

love, grief, and agony, onMount Calvary.

In thy last breath thou wouldst reclaim

sinners to their duty and repentance.

SACRED HEART. 319

This we know, dear Redeemer ! andwould most willingly redress these thy

sufferings by our own, or share with

thee in thine.

merciful Jesus ! ever present onour altars, and with a heart open to

receive all who labor and are bur-

dened ! adorable Heart of Jesus,

source of true contrition ! impart to our

hearts the true spirit of penance, andto our eyes a fountain of tears, that wemay bewail and wash off our sins andthose of the world. Pardon, divine

Jesus ! all the injuries, reproaches, andoutrages done thee through the course

of thy holy life and bitter passion.

Pardon all the impieties, irreverences,

and sacrileges which have been commit-ted against thee in the sacrament of the

Eucharist, from its first institution.

Graciously receive the small tribute of

our sincere repentance, as an agreeable

offering in thy sight, and in requital for

the benefits we daily receive from the

altar, where thou art a living and a

continual sacrifice, and in union with

320 DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART.

that bloody holocaust thou didst present

to thy Eternal Father on Mount Calvaryfrom the cross.

Sweet Jesus ! give thy blessing to the

ardent desire we now entertain, and the

holy resolution we have taken, of ever

loving and adoring thee after a proper

manner, in the sacrament of love, the

Eucharist ; thus to repair, by a true con-

version of heart and a becoming zeal for

thy glory, our past negligence and infi-

delity. Be thou, adorable Heart

!

who knowest the clay of which we are

formed, be thou our mediator with thy

heavenly Father, whom we have so

grievously offended; strengthen our

weakness, confirm our resolution, andwith thy charity, humility, meekness,

and patience, cover the multitude of our

iniquities. Be thou our support, our re-

fuge, and our strength; that nothing

henceforth, in life or death, may sepa-

rate us from thee. Amen.

INDULGENCES. 321

N indulgence is a releasing of

temporal punishment, due to

such sins as are already forgiven

by the sacrament of penance.

An indulgence for the dead remits

the pains in purgatory, not by way of

absolution or jurisdiction, but only byway of prayer or suffrage accepted byGod.To gain an indulgence, the person

must be in the state of grace, and per-

form the particulars required for the

obtaining of the indulgence whilst actu-

ally in that state.

A plenary indulgence, duly obtained,

is a full and entire remission of all the

temporal punishment due to sin.

A particular indulgence is a remission

of a part of the temporal punishmentdue to sin.

Though, by the sacrament of penanceduly received, the contrite sinner is re-

instated in the favor and friendship of

God, and consequently the guilt of eter-

322 INDULGENCES.

nal damnation cancelled and blotted out,

yet from hence it no way follows that all

the punishment due for sins is alwaysremitted. Faith teaches us the contrary :

and the Church, under the direction of

the Holy Ghost, ever imposes some tem-

poral punishment, which we call satis-

faction, on the person receiving this sac-

rament, even in time of its greatest in-

dulgences and jubilees.

The primitive Church was more re-

markable in the severity used on these

occasions ; not that there was anydoubt either of the true or sufficient dis-

positions of the penitent, or ofthe virtue

or efficacy of the absolution, but a sat-

isfaction, or penal austerity, sometimeseven of seven, ten, or more years, often

of ten, twenty, or forty days, was en-

joined.

The Church, as an indulgent mother,

ever compassionating the weakness of

her children, and finding herself, in the

superabundant merits of her spouse,

Jesus Christ, possessed of an infinite

treasure, dispenses these, her riches, by

INDULGENCES. 323

indulgences and jubilees to the faithful,

in proportion to their wants and the so-

lemnity of the occasion. She moreoverpoints out to each one, by means of the

particular injunctions prescribed in her

grant of these blessings, how and in

what manner we may apply these treas-

ures to our own advantage, and by thempay the whole or part of the debt wehave contracted by our transgressions.

So that an indulgence of ten years, forty

days, and the like, is, in our regard, byacquitting ourselves of what is men-tioned and required by and in the grant

[as the saying of so many Paters andAves, giving such and such alms, &c],equivalent and equal to the atonementand satisfaction we should or mightmake to the divine justice, by the per-

formance of a ten years' austerity or a

forty days' penance, etc., enjoined bythe ancient canons, now mitigated in

this manner.

324 JUBILEE.

OF A JUBILEE.

A Jubilee is a solemn plenary indul-

gence, accompanied with certain privi-

leges, relating to censures and dispen-

sations, granted to the inferior pastors

of the Church by the superior pontiff,

and specified in his bulls or orders, di-

rected to them for that purpose. It is

granted every twenty-fifth year, as also

upon other extraordinary occasions, to

such as, being truly penitent, shall wor-

thilv receive the blessed sacrament, andperform the other conditions offasting,alms, andprayers usually prescribed at

such times.

a ^rager for tge toftole &tate

of ©Jjrtet'a ©fjurd) upon

AND ALL THE INTENTIONS OF THE INDUL-

GENCES.

ETERNAL Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ ; Creator

of all things visible and in-

visible; Source of all good!infinitely gracious, bountiful,

and good to us;behold, I, thy

poor servant, the work of thyhands, redeemed by the blood

of thy only Son, come to present my-self as an humble petitioner before the

throne of thy mercy. I prostrate my-self here before thee, and most humblybeseech thee to sanctify thy own most

28

326 A PRAYER FOR THE

holy name, by sanctifying and exalting

the holy Catholic Church throughoutthe whole world. Eternal King

!

who hast sent thy only Son down fromthy throne above, into this earth of ours,

to establish a kingdom here amongst us,

from whence we might hereafter betranslated to thy eternal kingdom

;

look down, we beseech thee, upon this

kingdom of thy Son, and propagate it

through all nations and through all

hearts;sanctify it in all truth ; main-

tain it in peace, unity, and holiness.

Give to it saints for its rulers its chief

pastors, and all other prelates;enlighten

them all with heavenly wisdom, andmake them all men according to thine

own heart. Give thy grace and bless-

ing to all thy clergy, and send amongstthem that heavenly fire which thy Soncame to cast on the earth, and whichhe so earnestly desired should he en-

kindled. Assist and protect all apos-

tolical missionaries, that they may zeal-

ously and effectually promote thy glory

and the salvation of souls redeemed by

whole of Christ's church. 327

the blood of thy Son. Sanctify all re-

ligious men and women of all orders

;

give them the grace to serve thee with

all perfection according to the spirit of

their institute, and to shine like lights

to the rest of the faithful. Have mercyon all Christian princes

;grant them

those lights and graces that are neces-

sary for the perfect discharge of their

duty to thee and to their subjects, that

they may be true servants to thee, the

King of kings, true fathers to their peo-

ple, and nursing fathers to thy Church.

Have mercy on all magistrates and menin power, that they may all fear thee,

love thee, and serve thee, and ever re-

member that they are thy deputies, andministers of thy justice. Have mercyon all thy people throughout the world

;

and give thy blessing to thine inheri-

tance;

remember thy congregation

which thou hast possessed from the

beginning ; and give that grace to all

thy children here upon earth, that theymay do thy holy will in all things, evenas the blessed do in heaven.

328 A PRAYER FOR THE

Extend thy mercy also to all poor in-

fidels who sit in darkness and in the

shadow of death; to all those nations

that know not thee, and that have notyet received the faith and law of thySon our Saviour ; to all Pagans, Mahom-edans, and Jews. Remember, Lord !

that all these poor souls are made after

thy own image and likeness, and redeem-ed by the blood of thy Son. let not

Satan any longer exercise his tyrannyover these thy creatures, to the great

dishonor of thy name. Let not the pre-

cious blood of thy Son be shed for themin vain. Send amongst them zealous

preachers and apostolic laborers, en-

dued with the like graces and gifts as

the apostles were, and bless them withthe like success for the glory of thyname, that all these poor souls may bebrought to know thee, love thee, andserve thee here in thy Church, and bless

thee hereafter for all eternity.

Look down also with an eye of pity

and compassion upon all those deluded

souls, who, under the name of Christians,


have gone astray from the paths of truth

and unity, and from the one fold of the

one Shepherd, thy only Son Jesus

Christ, into the by-paths of error andschism. bring them back to thee

and to thy Church. Dispel their dark-

ness by thy heavenly light; take off

the veil from before their eyes, with

which the common enemy has blind-

folded them; let them see how they

have been misled by misapprehensions

and misrepresentations. Remove the

prejudices of their education; take

away from them the spirit of obstinacy,

pride, and self-conceit. Give them anhumble and docile heart. Give them a

strong desire of finding out the truth,

and a strong grace to enable them to

embrace it, in spite of all the opposition

of the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

For why should these poor souls perish

for which Christ died? Why shouldSatan any longer possess these souls

which, by their baptism, were dedicatedto thee to be thy eternal temple ?

Father of Light, and God of all truth !

330 PRAYER FOR THE

purge the whole world from all errors,

abuses, corruptions, and vices. Beatdown the standard of Satan, and set upeverywhere the standard of Christ.

Abolish the reign of sin, and establish

the kingdom of grace in all hearts. Lethumility triumph over pride and ambi-tion; charity over hatred, envy, andmalice; purity and temperance over

lust and excess ; meekness over passion

;

and disinterestedness and poverty of

spirit over covetousness and the love of

this perishable world. Let the gospel

of Jesus Christ, both in its belief andpractice, prevail throughout the wholeuniverse.

Grant to us thy peace, Lord ! in the

days of our mortality, even that peacewhich thy Son bequeathed as a legacy

to his disciples—a perpetual peace with

thee, a perpetual peace with one an-

other, and a perpetual peace within our-

selves. Grant that all Christian princes

may love, cherish, and maintain an invi-

olable peace among themselves. Give

them a right sense of the dreadful evils


!that attend oh wars. Give them an ever-

lasting horror of all that bloodshed, of

the devastation and ruin of so many ter-

ritories, of the innumerable sacrileges

and the eternal loss of so many thou-

sand souls, as are the dismal consequen-

ces of war. Turn their hearts to an-

other kind of warfare ; teach them to

fight for a heavenly kingdom.Remove, Lord ! thy wrath, which

we have reason to apprehend is actually

hanging over our heads for our sins.

< Deliver all Christian people from the

dreadful evil of mortal sin; make all

sinners sensible of their misery; give

them the grace of a sincere conversion

to thee, and a truly penitential spirit,

and discharge them from all their bonds.

Preserve all Christendom, and in par-

ticular this nation, from all the evils

that threaten impenitent sinners ; suchas plagues, famines, earthquakes, fires,

inundations, mortality of cattle, suddenand unprovided death, and thy manyother judgments here, and eternal dam-nation hereafter. Comfort all that are

332 PRAYER FOR CHRIST^ CHURCH.

under affliction, sickness, or violence of

pain;support all that are under temp-

tation ; reconcile all that are at variance;

deliver all that are in slavery or cap-

tivity; defend all that are in danger

;

grant relief to all in their respective

necessities;give a happy passage to all

that are in their agony. Grant thyblessing to our friends and benefactors

;

to all those for whom we are particular-

ly bound to pray ; and have mercy onall our enemies. Give eternal rest to

all the faithful departed, and bring us

all to everlasting life. Through Jesus

Christ thy Son. Amen.

FOR ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO SALVATION.

MY God, I believe in thee

;

do thou strengthen my faith.

All my hopes are in thee

;

do thou secure them. I

love thee with my whole heart;

teach me to love thee daily

more and more. I am sorry

that I have offended thee; dothou increase my sorrow.

I adore thee as my first beginning,

I aspire after thee as my last end. I

give thee thanks as my constant bene-

factor. I call upon thee as my sove-

reign protector.

334 A PRAYER FOR SALVATION.

Vouchsafe, my God, to conduct meby thy wisdom; to restrain me by thyjustice ; to comfort me by thy mercy

;

to defend me by thy power.

To thee I desire to consecrate all mythoughts, words, actions, and sufferings

;

that henceforward I may think only of

thee, speak of thee, and willingly refer

all my actions to thy greater glory;

and suffer willingly whatever thou shalt

appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things thywill may be done, because it is thy will,

and in the manner that thou wiliest.

I beg of thee to enlighten my under-

standing; to inflame my will ; to purify

my body, and to sanctify my soul.

Give me strength, my God, to ex-

piate my offences; to overcome mytemptations ; to subdue my passions

;

and to acquire the virtues proper for

my state.

Fill my heart with tender affections

for thy goodness ; a hatred of my faults

;

a love of my neighbor ; and a contemptof the world.

A PRAYER FOR SALVATION. 335

Let me always remember to be sub-

missive to my superiors, condescending

to my inferiors, faithful to my friends,

and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality bymortification; avarice by alms-deeds;

anger by meekness; and tepidity bydevotion.

my God, make me prudent in myundertakings

;courageous in dangers

;

patient in affliction, and humble in pros-

perity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive

at my prayers;temperate at my meals •

diligent in my employments, and con-

stant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright

and pure;my exterior modest

;my

conversation edifying, and my com-portment regular.

Assist me, that I may continually

labor to overcome nature;correspond

with thy grace;keep thy command-

ments, and work out my salvation.

Discover to me, my God, the noth-

ingness of this world ; the greatness of

336 A PRAYER FOR SALVATION.

heaven ; the shortness of time, and the

length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death;

fear thy judgments;escape hell

;and,

in the end, obtain heaven : through

Jesus Christ. Amen.

tetrttcttotts atttr Mtbotionz

(ox tfte g>tcft*

29

338 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SICK.

F attacked by any serious

illness, let it be your first

care to send for your spirit-

ual director, and settle the

state of your soul ; which is

!r® much better done at the be-

ginning than afterwards, whenthe violence of the disorder, or

the quality of the remedies, may render

you incapable of performing so great awork. Sickness is frequently the pun-ishment of sin, and therefore a sincere

repentance and confession is often a

more effectual means of recovery thanany other.

2. If your Will be not already made,as in prudence it ought, let this also bedone in the beginning of your sickness,

that so having settled your temporalconcerns, you may apply your soul

without disturbance to your spiritual

ones.

3. Engage your best friends to give

you timely notice whether your dis-

temper be dangerous, and not flatter

you with the hopes of life, when there

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SICK. 339

are little or no grounds for hope. Makethe best use possible of that time, whichperhaps is to be your last. Admit but

of few visits, nor of any other discourse

but such as may be for the profit of yoursoul.

4. Be careful also to discharge yourdebts, and all other obligations incum-

bent upon you, at the beginning of yoursickness : forgive those who have anyways injured you, and ask pardon of

those whom you have injured.

5. Keceive your sickness as comingfrom the hands of God, with a perfect

resignation to his holy will, and as a

just punishment of your offences. Fre-

quently offer yourself up to him, andbeg that he would grant you patience,

sanctify your sufferings, and accept of

them in union with those of Jesus Christ

your Saviour, in satisfaction of the pun-

ishment due to your sins.

6. Procure some friend to read to

you such prayers as are most affecting

and proper for your condition : such as

the Penitential Psalms, the Litanies,

340 DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK.

Acts of the Love of God, of patience,

resignation, &c.

7. Place a crucifix, or figure of Christ

crucified, always before your eyes, in

order to think often upon his passion

:

hide yourself in spirit in his wounds,and embrace his feet with the utmostaffection of your soul.

8. Endeavor, as much as possible, to

acquire a penitential spirit during yoursickness ; call often on God for mercy,and make frequent acts of contrition

for your sins. St. Augustin used to say,

that no Christian, however innocent his

life might have been, ought to venture

to die in any other state than that of a

penitent.

A Daily Prayer in Time of Sickness.

ORD Jesus Christ, behold I receive

this sickness, with which thou

art pleased to visit me, as comingfrom thy fatherly hand. It is thy will

it should be thus with me, and therefore

I submit : thy will be done on earth as

DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 341

it is in heaven. May this sickness be

to the honor of thy holy name, and to

the good of my soul. For this end, I

here offer myself with an entire submis-

sion to thy appointments; to suffer

whatever thou pleasest, as long, and in

what manner thou pleasest. For I thy

creature, Lord, have most ungratefully

offended thee, and as my sins have long

since cried aloud to heaven for justice,

how can I now complain of thy chas-

tisements ? No, my God, thou art just

in all thy ways; I have truly deserved

thy punishment, and therefore can haveno reason to complain of thee, but rath-

er of my own wickedness.

Rebuke me not, Lord, in thy fury,nor chastise me in thy wrath; but havecompassion on my weakness. Thouknowest my frailty, and that I am noth-

ing but dust and ashes. Deal not withme, therefore, according to my sins, norpunish me according to my iniquities

;

but according to the multitude of thytender mercies have compassion on me.May thy justice, Lord, be tempered

29*


with mercy; and let thy heavenly grace

come to my assistance, to support meunder this illness. Enable me withstrength from above to bear all the un-

easiness, pains, and difficulties of mysickness with Christian patience, and to

accept them with cheerfulness, in just

punishment of my offences. Preserve

me from all temptations, and be thouto me a tower of strength against the

assaults of the enemy, that in this ill-

ness I may no ways offend thee. Andshould it be my last, I beg of thee so to

direct me by thy grace, that I mayneither neglect nor be deprived of those

helps which thou hast, in thy mercy,

ordained for the safe conduct of mysoul in its passage to eternity; that

being perfectly cleansed from all mysins, I may believe in thee, hope in thee,

love thee above all things, and, through

the merits of thy death and passion, be

admitted into the company of the bles-

sed, where I may praise thee forever.

Amen.


Acts of the most necessary Virtues to

be made in Time of Sickness.

LOKD ;I accept this sickness from

thy hands, and resign myself en-

tirely to thy blessed will, whetherit be for life or death. Not my will,

but thine be done : thy will be done onearth as it is in heaven.

I offer up to thee, Lord, all that I

now suffer, or may hereafter suffer, to

be united to the sufferings of my Re-deemer, and sanctified by his passion.

I adore thee, my God and my All,

as my first beginning and last end ; andbowing down all the powers of my soul

in thy presence, desire to pay thee the

best homage I am able.

I desire to praise thee, Lord, with-

out ceasing, in sickness as well as in

health : and to join my heart and voice

with the whole Church in heaven andon earth, in blessing thee forever.

I give thee thanks from the bottomof my heart for all the mercies andblessings bestowed upon me and thy


whole Church, through Jesus Christ thySon

;and, above all, for his having loved

me from all eternity, and redeemed mewith his precious blood. let not that

blood be shed for me in vain

!

Lord, I believe all those heavenlytruths which thou hast revealed, andwhich thy holy Catholic Church believes

and teaches : thou art the sovereign

Truth, who neither canst deceive nor bedeceived : and thou hast promised the

Spirit of Truth to guide thy Church in-

to all truth. / believe in God the Fa-ther Almighty, &c. In this faith I re-

solve, through thy grace, both to live

and die : Lord, strengthen and in-

crease my faith.

my God, all my hopes are cen-

tred in thee, from whom I hope for

mercy, grace, and salvation, through

the passion and death of my blessed

Redeemer. In thee, Lord, haveI put my trust : let me never be con-

founded.

sweet Jesus, receive me into thy

arms in this day of my distress : hide


rue within thy wounds, bathe my soul in

thy precious blood.

I love thee, my God, with my wholeheart and soul, above all things: at

least, I desire so to love thee. ! comenow, and take full possession of mysoul, and teach me to love thee forever.

I desire to be dissolved, and to be

with Christ.

When, Lord, will thv kingdomcome ? When wilt thou perfectly reign

in all hearts ? When shall sin be no more ?

I desire to embrace every neighbor

in the arms of perfect charity, for the

love of thee. I forgive, from my heart,

all that have any ways offended or in-

jured me, and ask pardon of all whom I

have any ways offended.

Have mercy on me, God, according

to thy great mercy ; and according to

the multitude of thy tender mercies^

blot out my iniquities.

! who will give water to my head,

and fountains of tears to my eyes, that

night and day I may bewail my sins

!

! that I had never offended so good


a God ! that I had never sinned

!

Happy those souls that have preserved

their baptismal innocence.

Lord, be merciful to me a sinner

;

sweet Jesus, Son of the living God,have mercy on me.

I recommend my soul to God myCreator, who made me out of nothing

;

to Jesus Christ my Saviour, who re-

deemed me with his precious blood ; to

the Holy Ghost, who sanctified me in

baptism. Into thy hands, Lord, I

commend my spirit.

I renounce from this moment, and for

all eternity, the devil and all his works;and abhor all his suggestions and temp-tations. Suffer not this mortal enemyof my soul, Lord, to have any domin-ion over me, either now, or at my last

hour. let thy holy angels defend mefrom all the powers of darkness.

holy Mary, Mother of God, prayfor me a poor sinner, now, and at the

hour of my death. all ye blessed

angels and saints of God, pray for mea poor sinner.


It may also be proper to read somepart

of the Meditations on the Passion of

Christ, the Miserere, or otherpeniten-

tialpsalms, devout acts of contrition,

&c, but not too much at a time, lest

it might fatigue the sick person.

A Daily Preparation for Death.

Y heart is ready, God, my heart

is ready : not my will, but thine

be done. I resign myself entire-

ly to thee, Lord, to receive death at

the time and in the manner it shall

please thee to send it.

2. I most humbly ask pardon for all

the sins I have committed against thysovereign goodness, and repent of themall from the bottom of my heart.

3. I firmly believe whatsoever the holyCatholic Church believes and teaches

;

and by thy grace I will die in this be-

lief.

4. I hope to possess eternal life

through thy infinite mercy, and the

merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ.


5. my God, my sovereign good, I

desire to love thee above all things, andto despise this miserable world. I de-

sire to love my neighbor as myself, for

the love of thee, and from my heart to

forgive all injuries.

6. my divine Jesus, how great is

my desire to receive thy sacred body !

! come now into my soul, at least

by a spiritual communion. ! grant

that I may worthily receive thee before

my death ! I desire to unite my com-munion to all the worthy communionswhich shall be made in thy holy Church,

even to the end of the world.

7. Grant me the grace, my divine

Saviour, perfectly to efface all the sins I

have committed by any of my senses,

by applying daily to my soul thy bles-

sed merits, the holy unction of thy pre-

cious blood.

8. Holy Virgin, Mother of God, de-t

fend me from my enemies in my last

hour, and present me to thy divine Son.

Glorious St. Michael, prince of the heav-

enly host; my angel guardian, and bles-


sed patrons, intercede for me, and as-

sist me in this my last and dreadful

passage.

9. my God, I renounce all tempta-

tions of the enemy, and in general what-soever may displease thee. I adore andaccept thy divine appointments with re-

gard to my soul, and entirely abandonmyself to them as most just and equi-

table.

10. Jesus, my divine Redeemer, beto me a Saviour. Save me, my God,hiding myself with an humble confi-

dence in thy dear wounds. I deliver

my soul into thy divine hands ; receiveit in the bosom of thy divine mercy.Amen.

30

Uttang for a Happg Btat%

LORD Jesus, God of good-ness and Father of mercies,

I approach to thee with acontrite and humble heart

:

to thee I recommend the last

hour of my life, and the de-

cision of my eternal doom.When my feet, benumbed

with death, shall admonish me that

my mortal course is drawing to the \

end,

When my eyes, dim and troubled

at the approach of death, shall fixy

LITANY FOR A HAPPY DEATH. 351

themselves on thee, my last and'

only support,

When my face, pale and livid,

shall inspire the beholders with

pity and dismay; when my hair,

bathed in the sweat of death, andstiffening on my head, shall fore-

bode my approaching end,

When my ears, soon to be for-

ever shut to the discourse of men,shall be open to the irrevocable de-

cree, which is to cut me off fromthe living,

When my imagination, agitated r ^by dreadful spectres, shall be sunkin an abyss of anguish ; when mysoul, affrighted with the sight of

my iniquities and the terrors of thyjudgments, shall have to fight

against the angel of darkness, whowill endeavor to conceal thy mer-cies from my eyes, and to plunge

me into despair,

When my poor heart, yielding to

the pressure, and exhausted by its

frequent struggles against the ene-

Co

a

8

352 LITANY FOR A HAPPY DEATH.

mies of its salvation, shall feel theN

pangs of death,

When the last tear, the forerun-

ner of my dissolution, shall dropfrom my eyes, receive it as a sacri-

fice of expiation for my sins;grant

that I may expire the victim of

penance, and in that dreadful mo- 1

ment,

When my friends and relations,

encircling my bed, shall shecl the

tear of pity over me, and invoke

thy clemency in my behalf,

When I shall have lost the use of

my senses, when the world shall

have vanished from my sight, whenmy agonizing soul shall feel the

sorrows of death,

When my last sigh shall summonmy soul to burst from the embracesof the body, and to spring to thee

on the wings of impatience anddesire,

When my soul, trembling on mylips, shall bid adieu to the world,

and leave my body lifeless, pale,^

LITANY FOR A HAPPY DEATH. 353

and cold, receive this separation as

a homage which I willingly pay to

thy Divine Majesty, and in that last

moment of my mortal life,

When at length my soul, admit-

ted to thy presence, shall lirst be-

hold the splendor ofthy Maj esty, re-

j ect me not, but receive me into thy

bosom, where I may forever sing

thy praises, and in that moment,when eternity shall begin to me,

Let us pray.

OGrOD, who hast doomed all mento die, but hast concealed from all

the hour of their death, grant that

I may pass my days in the practice of

holiness and justice, and that I may de-

serve to quit this world in the peace of

a good conscience, and in the embracesof thy love, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

30*

m>t Uttang for tfte gtcfc, antr

preparation for 2Beati)<

LITANY FOR THE SICK. 355

* O^.ÔRJ), have mercy upon him/Qtf (her or me).

Christy have mercy uponhim, &c.

Lord, have mercy upon him,

&c.

God the Father, Creator of the

world, have mercy on him, <&c.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

have mercy on him, &c.

God the Holy Ghost, Perfecter of the

Elect, have mercy on him, &c.

Blessed Trinity, three Persons andone God, have mercy on him, &c.

Holy Mother of God,

All ye holy Angels and Archangels,

All ye blessed company of the

Just,

All ye holy Patriarchs and Pro-

phets,

: All ye holy Apostles and Evan-

I

gelists,

All ye holy Disciples of our Lord,

All ye holy Martyrs,

All ye holy Bishops and Confessors,

All ye holy Virgins and Widows,

J?

356 LITANY FOR THE SIOK.

All ye holy Saints of God, Make inter-

cession for him (her or me).

Have mercy, Lord ! and spare him,

&c.

Have mercy, Lord! and hear him, &c.

From all his sins and offences, andthe punishment due to them,

From all temptations, and the

snares of the Devil,

From all impatience, and repining

at thy just chastisements,

From dejection of spirit, and diffi-

dence in thy mercies,

From all undue fears of death, andall immoderate desires of life.

From distraction of mind, andneglect of his preparation for

eternity,

By thy Cross and Passion,

By thy Death and Burial,

By thy glorious Resurrection andAscension,

By the grace of the Holy Ghost

the Comforter,

In the hour of death and in the

day of judgment,

LITANY FOR THE SICK.

We sinners beseech thee to hear us

That it would please thee to"

comfort him in his sorrows, andenable him to look beyond death,

to the blessed state it leads to,

That it would please thee to re-

mind him of all thy mercies, andby them encourage him to a sure

confidence in thee,

That thou wouldst vouchsafe

him the grace to order all his tem-

poral affairs with prudence, justice,

and charity ; and with a free andquiet mind wholly to attend to dis- >-

pose himselffor heaven,

That thou wouldst sanctify this

thy fatherly correction of him;that the sense of his weaknessmay add strength to his faith, andseriousness to his repentance,

That thou wouldst vouchsafehim the grace to confess sincerely

;

to repent of all his sins, and grant

him perfect remission and forgive-

ness of them,

That thou wouldst vouchsafe

358 LITANY FOR THE SICK.

him the grace heartily to forgive

all those that have offended him

;

and to satisfy, to the utmost of his

power, whoever hath suffered the

least prejudice by him,

That being thus reconciled to

thee, and to all the world, he may,with assured hope and steadfast .

§T

faith, receive the sacrament of thy c£

blessed body ; and may the strength s»

of that heavenly food cheer his , ^fainting spirits, and carry him on

f

with joy, in thy favor, to the end,

That a patient submission under ^the pains of his sickness may ex- &

piate the punishment due to his ^sins, diminish his love of this world,

and increase his desire of the next,

That in whatever thy providence

hath ordained concerning him, hemay readily acquiesce, and both in

life and death be always thine,

Son of God, We beseech Thee to hearus !


sins of the world, Spare us, Lord

!



sins of the world. Hear us, Lord I


sins of the world, Have mercy on us !

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ,

have mercy on us. Lord, have mercyon us. Our Father, &c.

Lord, hear my prayer. And let

my cry come unto thee.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, in

whose hands are life and death

;

whose infinite wisdom disposes

all things advantageously for them wholove thee; behold thy servant, whomthou hast cast upon a bed of sickness

;

comfort, we beseech thee, his afflicted

spirit ; increase his faith, strengthen his

hope, and perfect his charity : sanctify

for him all his sufferings ; and if thymercy shall restore him to his health,

may he carefully correct the errors ofhis past life. If it please thee to call

him out of this world, grant that he


may pass safely through the shades of

death, transported by thy holy angels

into the mansions of bliss, where no fear

shall trouble him, no pain afflict him,

nor grief disturb the quiet of his mind

;

but pure delight, unspeakable joys, andperfect security shall be forever con-

firmed to him, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A Prayer before receiving the Viati-

cum, or the Holy Communion.

DEAR Jesus, I adore thee with

all my heart I give thee thanks

for that infinite love which thoushowedst to poor sinners in dying for

them on the cross, and for thy unspeak-

able goodness, displayed in this heav-

enly banquet. Hither thou art now plea-

sed to invite me, but how can I approach.—I who have so ungratefully offended

thee, and who have lived so unworthyof my profession

!

I acknowledge, God, that I am a sin-

ner, a poor miserable sinner. Thou alone


art my hope, to thee I raise my eyes, whoart rich in mercy; who art my Advocate,

!

and most powerful Mediator. I commit: my cause into thy hands. Help me now

1 in my distress ! let thy precious blood, the

infinite treasure of thy merits, supply all

my deficiencies, while I partake of this

I sacred food. Thou knowest my weak-ness, thou knowest my unworthiness

;

thou seest how unfit I am, through the

|multitude and enormity ofmy sins, to ap-

pear before thyjudgment-seat : I tremble! at that dreadful hour when my manifold

I

transgressions shall be laid before me.

What shall I do then, Keeper of Men !

I

What must become of me, if my iniqui-

ties are to decide my eternal destiny?

Jesus, let me not go alone into that

place of terror : come thou into my soul,

accompany it to the tribunal of God;there let all thy mercies plead for me !

though I have nothing to trust to in my-

i

self, yetupon thy infinite goodness I haveevery reason to rely. Let us, then, mysoul, confidently recur to the mercies of

our Lord ; there let us shelter ourselves31


in the virtue of his blessed wounds;there, though our sins cry aloud for

justice, his precious blood still cries

louder for mercy. It is on this mercyI depend ; in this I hope ; and in this

hope I desire to die : come, dear Jesus,

now into my soul, and possess it forever.

Thou art my Lord and my God ; be-

hold I am thy servant : give me under-

standing and strengthen me, that I mayever conform to thy holy will.

Thou art the Lamb of God, the spot-

less Lamb who takest away the sins of

the world. Take from me all that is

sinful, and give me that which is

pleasing in thy sight.

Thou art my love and my joy, myGod, and my all; thou art my portion

and inheritance; it is thou who wilt

restore my inheritance to me.

Let the powerful force of thy love

affect all my faculties; let it entirely

change my heart, that for love of thee

I may die to the world, who for love of

me wast pleased to die on the cross.

Into thy hands I commit and surren-


der my spirit and remainder of life, andmy whole being, whilst I am in posses-

i!sion of it, and have the power of mak-ing the offer and sacrifice.


An Act of Thanksgiving, after havingreceived the Holy Communion, orViaticum.

f\LORY and thanksgiving beto thee, Lord, who in thysweetness hast been pleased

^ to visit and refresh my poorsoul. Now let thy servant

depart in peace, according to

thy word.

Now thou art come to me, I

will not let thee go; now I willingly

bid farewell to the world ; and with joy

I go to thee, my God.

Nothing more, dear Jesus, nothing

more shall separate me from thee. Now


I am united to thee, in thee I will live,

in thee I will die, and in thee I hope to

abide forever.

Now life seems uneasy to me ; I de-

sire to be dissolved, and be with Christ;

for Christ is my life, and to die will be

|

my gain.

Now I will fear no evils, though I

walk in the shadow of death, because

thou art with me, Lord : as the hart

pants after the fountains of water, so

does my soul after thee : my soul thirsts

after the Fountain of Living Water

:

when shall I come, and appear be-

fore the face of my God

!

Give me thy blessing, Jesus, andestablish my soul in everlasting peace

;

such peace, as only thou canst give;

such peace, as it may not be in the

power of my enemy to destroy.

that I were happily united to thee

forever ; that I were wholly swallowedup and buriQjd in thee ! that my soul

were at rest in thy happiness, and in

the enjoyment of thee, my God, for-

ever !

31*


What have I more to do with the

world ? And in heaven what have I to

desire but thee, my God ?

Into thy hands I commend my spirit;

receive me, sweet Jesus ! In thee mayI rest, and in thy happiness rejoice with-

out end. Amen.

A Prayer before Extreme Unction.

LORD Jesus Christ, who, in thy great

mercy, hast provided powerful re-

sources for all our necessities;

grant me grace to have recourse to themwith such dispositions, that my soul maypartake of all those great advantagesand salutary effects, which thou hast

appointed in their institution. Thouhast instituted the sacrament of Ex-treme Unction for the benefit of the

sick, who in their extremity stand moreparticularly in need of grace and conso-

lation. I now desire to receive this

heavenly medicine, for ^he ends for

which it has been instituted. Grant,

I beseech thee, that this holy Unction

may produce in me all its happy fruits;


by healing my soul, by fortifying meagainst all temptations, by supporting

me in the hour of anguish and distress,

and by preparing me for a happy pas-

sage, or for whatever may be thy holy

will. If thou foreseest that my health

will be conducive to thy greater glory,

and expedient for my eternal salvation,

let this be the means to restore it. I

absolutely submit to thy will : I wishnot so much to live as to serve thee.

Dispose of me as thou knowest best

;

all I desire is the accomplishment of

thy will;give me health or sickness,

life or death;give me whatever thou

pleasest ; not my will but thine be done;

it is a greater happiness to fulfil thywill than to enjoy ten thousand lives.

How happy should I be, if the destruc-

tion of my body could repair the inju-

ries I have offered to thy divine Majesty

!

My eyes, alas ! have seen vanities;my

ears have been open to detractions, to

profane and unprofitable discourses;my

tongue has many ways offended both

in speaking and tasting, my hands have


contributed to many follies; my feet

have often gone astray in the paths of

vanity and sin. By this holy anoint-

ing, and by the prayers of thy Church,

pardon me, Jesus, all the sins whichI have committed by my senses. Letthose avenues, through which sin hasmade its ways into my soul, be nowshut to the world. Let my eyes beopened to thee alone. Let my ears beattentive to thy commandments. Letmy tongue be solely employed in solicit-

ing for mercy. Let my prayers ascendlike incense in thy sight. Letmy handsbe lifted up to heaven for pardon. Letmy feet walk in thy ways, and let myheart be the living temple of the HolyGhost. Into thy hands, dear Jesus,

I commend my spirit. In thee I will

live, in thee I will die, in thee I will

abide, and in thee I hope to possess

eternal rest forever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer after Extreme Unction.

OMY God, thou hast created, re-

deemed, and sanctified me ; thou

j J


hast preserved me in many dangers,

both of soul and body. Thou hast

!! nourished me with the adorable sacra-

ment of thy body and blood, and grant-

! ed me to receive the rites of thy Church,

j

preferably to so many others, who were

j|

carried off by a sudden death, without! having been favored with those succors

which thou hast bestowed upon me,a most ungrateful sinner. For these,

and all other blessings, I offer thee in-

jj

numerable thanks; to thee I resign my1 heart ; receive it for a holocaust. I do

jnot desire to be freed from my pains;

thou knowest what is best for me ; take

from me all murmuring; give me pa-

tience to suffer whatever thou pleasest;

if it be thy divine pleasure to inflict onmy weak body greater punishmentsthan I now suffer, my heart is ready,

Lord, my heart is ready to accept

them, and to suffer in whatever man-ner and measure shall be most con-

formable to thy will. This one grace

1 most earnestly beg of thee, my God,that I may die the death of thy elect.


and be admitted, after the sufferings

and tribulations of this transitory life,

into the kingdom of thy glory, there

to see and enjoy thee, in the companyof the blessed, for all eternity. Amen.

372 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING.

^ ORD, have mercy on us.

"jo Christy have mercy on us.


|p! Holy Mary,All ye holy Angels andArchangels,

Holy Abel,

All ye choirs of the just,

Holy Abraham,St. John the Baptist,

St. Joseph,

All ye patriarchs and prophets,

St. Peter,

St. Paul,

St. Andrew,St. John,

All ye holy apostles and evan-

gelists,

All ye holy disciples of the Lord,

All ye holy innocents,

St. Stephen,

St. Laurence,

All ye holy martyrs,

St. Sylvester,

St. Gregory,

St. Augustin,

LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 373

3

All ye holy Bishops and Confes

sors,

St: Benedict,

St. Francis,

All ye holy monks and hermits,

St. Mary Magdalen,

St. Lucy,All ye holy virgins and widows,

All ye saints of God, make intercession

for him (her).

Be merciful, Spare him (Jier), Lord.Be merciful,

From thy anger,

From the danger of death,

From an unhappy death,

From the pains of hell,

From all evil,

From the power of the devil,

By thy nativity,

By thy cross and passion,

IBy thy death and burial,

By thy glorious resurrection,

By thy admirable ascension, ^By the grace of the Holy Ghost, ^

the Comforter,

In the day of judgment,32

3


We sinners. Beseech thee to hear us.

That thou spare him (her), We beseech

thee to hear us.

Lord, have mercy on us

!

Christ, have mercy on us !

Lord, have mercy on us !

Let us pray.

flEPAKT, Christian soul, out of this

world, in the name of God the

Father Almighty, who created

thee : in the name of Jesus Christ, Sonof the living God, who suffered for

thee : in the name of the Holy Ghost,

who sanctified thee : in the name of the

angels, archangels, thrones, and domi-

nations, cherubim and seraphim : in the

name of the patriarchs and prophets,

of the holy apostles and evangelists, of

the holy martyrs and confessors, of the

holy monks and heimits, of the holy

virgins, and of all the saints of God, let

thy place be this day in peace, and thy

abode in holy Sion, through Christ our

Lord, Amen.


God of mercy, God of goodness;

God, who according to the multitude

of thy mercies forgivest the sins

of such, as repent, and graciously re-

motest the guilt of their past offences,

mercifully regard this thy servant N.,

and grant him (Jier) a full discharge

from all his (her) sins, who most ear-

nestly begs it of thee. Remove,merciful Father, whatever is corrupt

in him (Tier) through human frailty,

or by the snares of the enemy; makehim (her) a true member of the Church,

and let him (her) partake of the fruit

of thy redemption. Have compassion,

Lord, on his (her) tears, and admit him(her) to the reconciliation with thee,

who has no hope but in thee, through,

Christ our Lord. Amen.I recommend thee, dear brother

(sister), to Almighty God, and leave

thee to his mercy, whose creature thouart; that having paid the commondebt, by surrendering thy soul, thoumayest return to thy Maker, whoformed thee out of the earth. Let

1


therefore the splendid company of an-

gels meet thy soul at its departure;

let the court of the apostles receive

thee ; let the triumphant army of glo-

rious martyrs conduct thee; let the

crowds of joyful confessors encompassthee ; let the choir of blessed virgins

go before thee ; and let a happy rest

be thy portion in the company of the

patriarchs ; let Christ Jesus appear to

thee with a mild and cheerful counte-

nance, and give thee place among those

who are to be in his presence forever.

Mayest thou be a stranger to all that

which is punished with darkness, chas-

tised with flames, and condemned to

torments. Let the wicked enemy, withall his evil spirits, depart from thee

:

may he tremble at thy approach in the

company of angels, and retire into the

horrid confusion of eternal night. Maythy God arise, and thy enemies be putto flight. May all who hate him, fly

before his face. Let them vanish like

smoke, and as wax before the fire, so

let sinners perish in the sight of God :


but for the just, let them rejoice and

be happy in his presence. May all the

ministers of hell be filled with confusion

and shame ; and let no evil spirit dare

to stop thee in thy way. Christ Jesus

be thy deliverer, who was crucified for

thee. Christ Jesus deliver thee fromdeath, who vouchsafed to die for thee.

Christ Jesus, Son of the living God,

place thee in his garden of paradise,

and may he, the true Shepherd, ownthee for one of his flock. May he ab-

solve thee from all thy sins, and place

thee at his right hand in the inherit-

ance of his elect. We pray it may bethy happy lot to behold thy Redeemerface to face, to be ever in his presence,

and in the vision of that truth whichis the joy of the blessed : And thus,

placed among those happy spirits, may-est thou be ever filled with heavenlysweetness. Amen.

Receive thy servant, Lord, into the

place of salvation, which he (she) hopesfrom thy mercy.

R. Amen.32*


Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy ser-

vant from all dangers of hell, from all

pain and tribulation.

R. Amen.Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy

servant, as thou deliveredst Enoch andElias from the common death of the

world.


servant, as thou deliveredst Noah fromthe flood.


servant, as thou deliveredst Abrahamfrom the midst of the Chaldeans.


servant, as thou deliveredst Job fromall his afflictions.

R. Amen.Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy ser-

vant, as thou deliveredst Isaac frombeing sacrificed by his father.



1 servant, as thou deliveredst Lot fromSodom, and the flames of fire.


servant, as thou deliveredst Mosesfrom the hands of Pharaoh, king of

Egypt.


servant, as thou deliveredst Daniel

from the lion's den.


servant, as thou deliveredst the three

children from the fiery furnace, and1 from the hands of an unmerciful king.


servant, as thou deliveredst Susanna

|

from her false accusers.


servant, as thou deliveredst David fromthe hands of Saul and Goliath.

R. Amen.Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy ser-


vant, as thou deliveredst Peter andPaul out of prison.

R. Amen.And as thou deliveredst that blessed

virgin and martyr, St. Thecla, frommost cruel torments, so vouchsafe to

deliver the soul of this thy servant,

and bring it to the participation of thyheavenly joys.

R. Amen.

Let us pray.

WE commend to thee, Lord, the

soul of this thy servant, and be-

seech thee, Jesus Christ, Ke-deemer of the world, that as in mercyto him (her) thou becamest man, so nowthou wouldst vouchsafe to admit him(her) into the number of the blessed.

Remember, Lord, he (she) is thy crea-

ture, not made by strange gods, but bythee, the only true and living God, for

there is no other God but thee, none that

can work thy wonders.—Let his (her)

soul find comfort in thy sight, and re-


member not his (her) former sins, nor anyof those excesses which he (she) has

fallen into, through the violence of pas-

sion and corruption. For although he(she) has sinned, he (she) hath retained

a true faith in thee, Father, Son, andHoly Ghost; he (she) has had zeal for

thy honor, and faithfully adored thee

his (her) God, and Creator of all things.

Remember not, Lord, we beseechthee, the sins and ignorances of his

(her) youth; but, according to thy great' mercy, be mindful of him (her) in thy

eternal glory. Let the heavens be opento him (her) and the angels rejoice with

1 him (her). Receive, Lord, thy servant

into thy kingdom. Let the archangel

St. Michael, the chief of the heavenlyhost, conduct him (her). Let the holyangels ofGod meet him (her), and bring

him (her) into the city of the heavenlyJerusalem. May blessed Peter, the

Apostle, to whom were given the keysof the kingdom of heaven, receive him(her). May holy Paul, the Apostle,

who was a vessel of election, help him


{her). May St. John, the beloved dis-

ciple, to whom God revealed the secrets

of heaven, intercede for him (her).

May all the holy apostles, to whom wasgiven the power of binding and loosing,

pray for him (her). May all the bles-

sed and chosen servants of God, who in

this world have suffered torments for

the name of Christ, pray for him (her).

That, being delivered from this body of

corruption, he (she) maybe admitted into

the kingdom of heaven, through the as-

sistance and merits of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who liveth and reigneth with the

Father and the Holy Ghost, world with-

out end. Amen.

If the dying person be in his senses, the

following Acts may be made.

An Act of Thanksgiving.

OMY God! you have created, re-

deemed, and sanctified me. Youhave preserved me in many dan-

gers, both of soul and body. You have


fed me with thy most blessed body andblood. You have shown immense pa-

tience in bearing with my repeated

crimes, and often called me to repent-

ance. For these and all other bless-

ings bestowed upon me a most ungrate-

ful sinner, I offer you innumerable

thanks.

Act of Resignation.

OMY God, I cheerfully receive the

certain summons of my death. It

is a greater happiness to fulfil

your will, than to enjoy ten thousandlives. . happy news of my departure !

I shall soon hear the choirs of angels

sing your immortal praises. Let slow

death hasten on, that dying I may nomore offend you, but live with you, andlove you eternally.

Act of Contrition.

I AM truly and heartily sorry for all

my sins, not through the fear of hell,

or hope of reward, but for the love

of thee, my God and only God ; and


were I beginning, as I am ending mylife, I would not offend thee for a thou-

sand worlds. my God, do not despise

a contrite and humble heart.

If the sick party still continue in distress

of agony, it would be proper for the

assistants to read again the foregoingLitany and Prayers as often as maybe necessary.

Tlie soul being now departed, the fol-

lowing Responsory is said.

R. Come to his (her) assistance, all

ye saints of God; meet him (her), all

ye angels of the Lord ;* Eeceiving his

(her) soul; * Presenting it in the sight

of the Most High.

V. May Christ who called thee re-

ceive thee, and the angels conduct thee

into the bosom of Abraham.


R. Receiving his [her) soul, and pre-

senting it in the sight of the Most High.

V. Eternal rest grant him (her),

Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine uponhim (her).

Presenting it in the sight of the MostHigh.

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

R. Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, &c.

Y. And lead us not into tempta-tion.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Eternal rest grant him (her),

Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine uponhim (her).

V. From the gates of hell.

R. Deliver his (her) soul, Lord.



thee.

33


Let us pray.

TO thee, Lord, we commend the

soul of thy servant N., that being

dead to this world, he (she) maylive to thee. And whatever sins he(she) has committed through humanfraility, we beseech thee in thy good-

ness mercifully to pardon, throughChrist our Lord.

R. Amen.

Tlien, for a conclusion, may be addedthe following Prayer for the assist-

ants.

GRANT, Lord, that while wehere lament the departure of thyservant, we may ever remember,

that we are most certainly to follow

him (her). Give us grace to prepare

for that last hour, by a good life, that

we may not be surprised by a suddendeath, but be ever watching when thou

shalt call, that so with the spouse wemay enter into eternal glory, throughChrist our Lord.

R. Amen.

®Tje Uttatta for tfje J3eatr.

388 LITANY FOR THE DEAD.

j0 o)ÔBI), have mercy on us.



Jesus, receive our prayers.

Lord Jesus, grant our petitions.

God the Father, Creator

of the world, have mercy on the

souls of the faithful departed.

God the Son, Redeemer of man-kind, deliver the souls of the faithful

departed.

God the Holy Ghost, perfecter of

the elect, accomplish the bliss of the

faithful departed.

Blessed Virgin Mary, who, by the

special privilege of grace, wast triumph-antly assumed into the kingdom of thy

Son, pray for the souls of the faithful

departed.

Blessed angels, who, ordering

aright the first act of your will,

were fixed forthwith in unchange-

able happiness,

Blessed patriarchs, who were fill-

ed with joy when the Desired ofNa-tions put an end to your captivity,

41

LITANY FOR THE DEAD. 389

Blessed prophets, who, after pa-

tiently awaiting the arrival of the

Messiah, were at leDgth consoled

by a visit from him in person,

Blessed saints, who, at the glo-

rious resurrection of our Saviour,

were translated from Limbo to the

visible presence of God,

Blessed apostles, who, at the

last day, shall sit to judge the

twelve tribes of Israel,

Blessed disciples of our Lord,

who followed his steps in the nar-

row paths of perfection,

Blessed martyrs, who passedthrough the sea of your own blood,

entering immediately into the land

of promise,

Blessed confessors, who despised

the vanity of the earth, and placedyour affections on the joys of

heaven,

Blessed virgins, who, with yourlighted lamps, awaited the comingof the heavenly spouse,

holy saints, who, being freed^

33*


from all irregular attachment to crea-

tures, were perfectly fitted for an imme-diate union with your Creator, Pray forthe souls of the faithful departed.

Be merciful, Lord, and pardontheir sins.

Be merciful, Lord, and hear their

prayers.

From the shades of death, whereN

the light ofthy countenance shineth

not,

From the evils, to which immor-tification in this world must expose

them in the other,

From thy displeasure, provokedby negligence and ingratitude,

From the pains of purgatory, so

justly inflicted upon unexpiated

sins,

From the torments incompara-

bly greater than the bitterest an-

guish of this life,

By the multitude of thy mercies,

ever compassionate to human frail-

ties,

By the virtue of thy cross, where-


on thou reconciledst the world toN

thy Father,

By thy victorious descent into

hell, to break the chains of death,

By thy glorious resurrection

from the tomb, to open the king- ,

doin of heaven,

By thy triumphant ascension

into heaven, to lead captivity cap-

tive,

By thy dread coming to judgethe world,

We sinners beseech thee to hear us.

That it please thee to hasten the

day when thy faithful shall be de-

livered from the mansions of sor-

row,

That it please thee to shorten

the time of their expiation, andto admit them speedily into thyheavenly sanctuary,

That it please thee, through the

prayers and good works performedin thy Church, to receive them into

thy eternal tabernacles,

That it please thee to accept, inj

8-


atonement for their sins, the infi-

nite value of thy unbloody sacri-

fice,

That the blessed view of Jesus

may comfort them, and his unfad-

ing glory shine upon them,That the whole triumphant

Church may soon celebrate their

deliverance; and the choirs of an-

gels sing new hymns ofjoy on their

never-ending happiness,

That we ourselves may share in

their triumph, and unite with all

the citizens of heaven in eternal

alleluias,

Son of God,Lamb of God

;who shalt come with

glory to judge the living and the dead,

give rest to the souls of the faithful de-

parted !

Lamb of God, at whose presence the

heavens and the earth shall be moved,give rest to the souls of the faithful de-

parted !

Lamb of God, in whose book of life

the names of thy elect are inscribed,


give rest to the souls of the faithful de-

parted !

The Antiphon.

ELIYER us, Lord, from eter-

nal death, in that tremendousday when the heavens shall be

moved and the earth : whilst thou shalt

come to judge the world by fire. Wetremble and are sore afraid at the dis-

cussion which will take place, and at

thy future wrath, when the heavensshall be moved, and the earth ; whilst

thou shalt come to judge the world byfire.

That day is a day of wrath, of calam-

ity, and of misery : a great and a mostbitter day; whilst thou shalt come to

judge the world by fire.

Give them, Lord, eternal rest : andlet perpetual light shine upon them.

Amen.

Let us pray.

OGOD, the Creator and Redeemerof all the faithful, grant to the

souls of thy servants departed the


remission of all their sins, thai, by meansof pious supplications, they may obtainthe pardon which they have ever ear-

nestly desired ; who livest and reignest

with the Father in the unity of the HolyGhost, one God, world without end.

Amen.

A Prayer upon the Day of a Person's

Decease or Burial.

OGOD, to whom it peculiarly be-

longeth to have mercy always,

and to spare, we humbly beseechthee in behalf of the soul of thy servant

N., which thou hast this day called out

of the world, that thou wouldst not de-

liver it into the hands of the enemy, nor

be unmindful of it unto the end : but

command it to be received by thy holy

angels, and conducted to Paradise, its

true country; that as in thee it hadfaith and hope, it may not suffer the

pains of hell, but be put in possession

of never-ending felicity, through our

Lord Jesus Christ.


Another.

LORD, we commend unto thy in-

finite clemency the souls of thyservants lately deceased

;pardon

them, we beseech thee, in the multitude

ofthy mercies, the sins which they havecommitted through human frailty, andgrant them eternal life in thy kingdomof bliss. Amen.

THE THIRTY DAYS* PRAYER. 397

^LORY, honor, and praise beto our Lord Jesus Christ;

may all the world adore

thee : blessed be thy holy

name, who for us sinners1

vouchsafedst to be born of anhumble Virgin : and blessed bethine infinite goodness, who

diedst upon the cross for our redemption.

Jesus, Son of God, and Saviour of

mankind, we beseech thee to have mercyon us, and so dispose our lives here bythy grace, that we may hereafter rejoice

with thee forever in thy heavenly king-

dom. Amen.

Thirty Days' Prayer to our Blessed

Redeemer in honor of Ms bitter

Passion.

DEAR Jesus, my blessed Saviour

and Redeemer, the sweet com-forter of all sad, desolate, and

distressed souls : behold thy poor ser-

vant, humbly prostrate at the foot of

thy holy cross, bewailing his misery, im-34

398 THE THIRTY DAYS* PRAYER.

ploring thy mercy, and beseeching thee

to take pity and compassion upon him in

this his present and pressing affliction

(infirmity, poverty, temptation, trouble,

or whatsoever other spiritual or corpo-

ral necessity).

Hear my prayers, assured refuge

of all afflicted wretches ! behold mytears, consider my sorrows, and remedymy distresses ; for finding myselfencom-passed with very grievous calamities, byreason of my great crimes, I know not

whither to fly for succor, or to whom I

may make my moan, but to thee, mymeek and merciful Saviour, with a full

hope and confidence that thou, myloving Redeemer, wilt vouchsafe to lend

the ears of thy ordinary pity and accus-

tomed clemency to the humble petition

of thy poor child ; and by that sweetness

which thy blessed soul perceived at the

time of thy alliance with our human na-

ture, when, resolving with the Father

and the Holy Grhost to unite thy divine

person to mortal flesh for man's salva-

tion, thou didst send the angel to the


Holy Virgin Mary with those happytidings, and clothing thyself with our

human nature, in her chaste womb, re-

mainedst true God and true man, for

the space of nine months, in her sacred

womb.By the anguish thou enduredst when,

the time of thy designed passion draw-

ing nigh, thou prayedst to thy eternal

Father, that if it might stand with his

most divine providence, thou desiredst

that that bitter chalice might pass awayfrom thee ! yet concluding with a mostperfect act of resignation : Not my will,

heavenly Father, but thine be done.

By the outrageous injuries, shamefuldisgraces, cruel blows, contumelious

blasphemies, forged witnesses, false ac-

cusations, and unjust judgments, whichthou, innocent Lamb ! patiently endur-

edst; by the shackles which fettered

thy limbs, the tears which flowed fromthine eyes, the blood which trickled

from thy whole body;by the fears, sor-

rows, and sadness of thy heart;by the

shame thou receivedst in being stripped


of thy garments, to hang naked on the

cross, in the sight of thy sorrowful

Mother, and in the presence of all the

people.

By thy royal head crowned withthorns, and smitten with a reed; bythy thirst quenched with vinegar andgall

;by thy side opened with a spear,

wlience issued blood and water, to re-

fresh our souls with that living fountain

of thy love and mercy;by the sharp

nails wherewith thy tender hands andfeet were cruelly pierced and fastened

to the cross;by the recommendation of

thy departing soul to thy heavenly Fa-

ther, saying, Into thy hands I commendmy spirit; by thy praying for thy ene-

mies, saying, Father, forgive them,

for they know not what they do ; bythy giving up the ghost, when thou

criedst out with a loud voice, My God,

my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?

and then, bowing down thy most blessed

head to impart the kiss of peace, saidst,

It is consummated.

By the great mercy thou showedst

THE THIRTY DAYS7PRAYER. 401

|| towards the penitent thief, saying, This

I day thou shalt be with me in Paradise yby thy descent into Limbus, and the

joy thou communicatedst to the just

souls therein detained;by the glory of

thy triumphant resurrection, and the

I consoling apparition thou frequently

didst make for forty days' space to thy

sacred Virgin Mother, to thy Apostles,

! and thy other chosen friends and ser-

vants;

by thy admirable ascension,

when, in the sight of thy Mother andthy Apostles, thou wast elevated into

heaven; by the miraculous comingdown of the Holy Ghost in the form of

fiery tongues, whereby thou replenish-

edst the hearts of thy Disciples with

thy love, and gavest them strength andcourage to plant thy faith in the wholeworld

;by the dreadful day of general

judgment, on which thou art to pass

sentence on all mankind.By all those sorrows, joys, passions,

compassions, and whatsoever else is nearand dear to thee in heaven and on earth,

take pity on me, compassionate Re-34*


deemer ; hear my prayers ; and grant

me that for which I now most humblyand heartily petition thee.

[Mention here the thing you desire ; or

reflect mentally upon itJ\

GIVE me, gracious Saviour,

speedy and efficacious feelings

of thy divine succor and comfort,

who, according to the accustomed sweet-

ness of thy tender heart, art wont to

grant the requests of them who really

fear and love thee, even to their ownsoul's desire and satisfaction ; bestow onme, also, my blessed Lord Jesus, a

constant faith, a confident hope, a per-

fect charity, a cordial contrition, a sin-

cere confession, a competent satisfac-

tion, a diligent custody of myself fromfuture failings, a heroic contempt of the

world, a complete conquest of my pas-

sions, a zealous imitation of thy exem-plary life and conversation, an entire

accomplishment ofmyvowrs, an absolute

mortification of my self-will, a willing

THE THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER. 403

readiness to die for thy love and honor,

a final perseverance in grace and goodworks, a happy departure of my soul

out of this world, with my perfect

senses about me, thy holy sacraments

to strengthen me;thyself, dear Jesus,

to comfort me; thy sacred Virgin Mo-ther, with the saints, my particular

patrons, to pray for me, and my goodangel to conduct me to eternal rest,

eternal life, eternal happiness. Amen.

Ef)t ftljtrtg lags' ilrager to

tfie ». V. mm,IN HONOR OF THE SACRED PASSION OF OUR

LORD JESUS CHRIST;

By the devout recital of which, for the

above space of time, we may merci-

fully hope to obtain our lawful re-

quest. It is particularly recommend-


ed as a proper devotion for every

day in Lent, and all the Fridays

throughout the year.

VER glorious and blessed

Mary, Queen of Virgins,

% Mother of Mercy, hope and^ comfort of dejected and des-

olate souls, through that swordof sorrow which pierced thy

tender heart whilst thine only

Son, Christ Jesus our Lord, suf-

fered death and ignominy on the cross

;

through that filial tenderness and purelove he had for thee, grieving in thygrief, whilst from his cross he recom-mended thee to the care and protection

of his beloved disciple, St. John, take

pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty andnecessities ; have compassion on myanxieties and cares ; assist and comfort

me in all my infirmities and miseries,

of what kind soever. Thou art the

Mother of Mercies, the sweet Consola-

trix and only refuge of the needy andthe orphan, of the desolate and the af-

406 THE THIRTY DAYS* PRATER

flicted. Cast, therefore, an eye of pity

on a miserable forlorn child of Eye, andhear my prayer ; for since, in just pun-ishment ofmy sins, I find myself encom-passed by a multitude of evils, and op-

pressed with much anguish of spirit,

whither can I fly for more secure shel-

ter, amiable Mother of my Lord andSaviour Jesus Christ, than under the

wings of thy maternal protection ?

Attend, therefore, I beseech thee,

with an ear of pity and compassion,

to my humble and earnest request. I

ask it, through the bowels of mercy of

thy dear Son; through that love andcondescension wherewith he embracedour nature, when, in compliance with

the divine will, thou gavest thy consent,

and whom, after the expiration of nine

months, thou didst bring forth from the

chaste enclosure of thy womb, to visit

this world, and bless it with his pres-

ence. I ask it, through that anguish of

mind wherewith thy beloved Son, our

dear Saviour, was overwhelmed on

Mount Olivet, when he besought his

TO THE B. V. MARY. 407

eternal Father to remove from him, if

. possible, the bitter chalice of liis future

passion. I ask it, through the threefold

repetition of his prayers in the Garden,

whence afterwards, with dolorous steps

and mournful tears, thou didst accom-pany him to the doleful theatre of

his death and sufferings. I ask it,

through the welts and sores of his vir-

ginal flesh, occasioned by the cords andwhips wherewith he was bound andscourged, when stripped of his seamless

garment, for which his executioners

afterwards cast lots. I ask it, throughthe scoffs and ignominies by which hewas insulted; the false accusations andunjust sentence by which he was con-

demned to death, and which he bore

with heavenly patience. I ask it, throughhis bitter tears and bloody sweat ; his

silence and resignation ; his sadness andgrief of heart. I ask it, through the

blood which trickled from his royal andsacred head when struck with the scep-

tre of a reed, and pierced with his crownof thorns. I ask it, through the excru-

408 THE THIRTY DAYS* PRAYER

ciating torments lie suffered, when his

hands and feet were fastened with gross

nails to the tree of the cross. I ask it,

through his vehement thirst, and bitter

potion of vinegar and gall. I ask it,

through his dereliction on the cross,

when he exclaimed, " My God ! myGod ! why hast thou forsaken me ? " I

ask it, through his mercy extended to

the s;ood thief and through his recom-mending his precious soul and spirit into

the hands of his eternal Father before heexpired, saying, "All is consummated."I ask it, through the blood mixed with

water, which issued from his sacred side

when pierced with a lance, and whencea flood of grace and mercy has flowed to

us. I ask it, through his immaculate. . . I

life, bitter passion, and ignominious

death on the cross, at which nature

itself was thrown into convulsions, bythe burstings of rocks, rending of the

veil of the Temple, the earthquake, anddarkness of the sun and moon. I askit, through his descent into hell, wherehe comforted the Saints of the old Law

TO THE B. Y. MARY. 409

with his presence, and led Captivity

captive. I ask it, through his glorious

victory OYer death, when he arose again

to life on the third day, and through the

joy which his appearance for forty daysafter gave thee his blessed Mother, his

Apostles, and the rest of his Disciples;

when in thine and their presence hemiraculously ascended into heaven. I

ask it, through the grace of the HolyGhost, infused into the hearts of his

Disciples, when he descended upon themin the form of fiery tongues, and bywhich they were inspired with zeal in

the conversion of the world, when they

went to preach the Gospel. I ask it,

through the awful appearance of thySon, at the last dreadful day, when heshall come to judge the living and the

dead, and the world by fire. I ask it,

through the compassion he bore thee,

in this life, and the ineffable joy thoudidst feel at thine Assumption into

heaven, where thou art eternally ab-

sorbed in the sweet contemplation of

his divine perfections. glorious and35

410 THE THIRTY DAYS* PRAYER

ever-blessed Virgin ! comfort the heart

of thy suppliant, by obtaining for me

\Here mention or reflect on your law-

ful request, under the reservation ofits being agreeable to the will of God,

who sees whether it tvill contribute

towards your spiritual good\

And as I am persuaded my divine Sa-

viour doth honor thee as his beloved

Mother, to whom he can refuse nothing,

so let me speedily experience the effi-

cacy of thy powerful intercession, ac-

cording to the tenderness of thy ma-ternal affection, and his filial loving

heart, who mercifully granteth the re-

quests, and complieth with the desires

of those that love and fear him. Where-fore, most blessed Virgin, besides the

object of my present petition, and what-

ever else I may stand in need of, obtain

for me also of thy dear Son, our Lordand our God, a lively faith, firm hope,

perfect charity, true contrition of heart,

unfeigned tears of compunction, sincere

TO THE B. V. MARY. 411

:confession, condign satisfaction, absti-

nence from sin, love of God and myneighbor, contempt of the world, pa-

tience to suffer affronts and ignominies,

nay even, if necessary, an opprobrious

death itself, for love of thy Son our

Saviour Jesus Christ. Obtain likewise

for me, sacred Mother of God ! per-

severance in good works, performance

of good resolutions, mortifications of

Iself-will, a pious conversation throughlife, and, at my last moments, strong

and sincere repentance, accompaniedby such a lively and attentive presence

of mind, as may enable me to receive

the last Sacrament of the Church wor-thily, and die in thy friendship andfavor. Lastly, obtain, I beseech thee,

for the souls of my parents, brethren,

relatives, and benefactors, both living

and dead, life everlasting. Amen.

n Btbout ^tt oi ftottixition.

§&®K)ft MY God ! the God of my

f^ô the heavens, the flowers of the

fields, nor the leaves of the trees,

can equal the infinite number and un-

speakable variety of my sins ; I havesinned, I have offended thee, and doneevil before the face of heaven and earth

!

I have departed from thy law ; turned

my back on thy grace ; adored whatoffended thee ; made an idol of myguilt, and run on without fear or shamein the ways of deceit, vanity, and per-

dition. Ah ! my God, how much am I

grieved for having offended thee ! I ammore troubled at the greatness of myingratitude for having offended thee,

than at the greatness of the torments

which I have deserved for my sins. I

would have my sorrow for my sins to be

^fe^ heart ! my soul ! my life !

and all that is within me !

whom I have so much of-

sapl fended, that neither the sands

I on the seashore, the stars in

A DEVOUT ACT OF CONTRITION. 413

as great as the sins themselves : I wouldhave my regret for having displeased

thee proportioned to the injuries com-mitted against thee : I would have a

grief equal to thy mercy : I would will-

ingly bewail the enormity of my sins

with tears of blood : more for the offence

and insult offered thy divine Majesty,

than for the injury and perdition they

bring upon myself. But where shall I

find so deep a sense of sorrow, save

only in the fountain of thy grace ?

Where shall I find such a grief, save

only in the contemplation of thy im-

mense goodness and infinite majesty?Whence are those tears to flow, save

only from the ocean of thy mercy ?

Here I cast myself at thy feet : con-

sider not in what manner, at what time,

or how late : consider only that I come.But, ah ! Lord, in how miserable a

condition ! how filthv ! how abomina-t/

ble ! clad with the deformity of mysins, covered with the filthiness of myoffences, and defiled with the abomi-nations of a vicious life ! But, in ap-

35*

414 A DEVOUT ACT OF CONTRITION.

preaching thee;

iny God, I comewith the confidence of finding in thymercy a secure haven ; in thy compas-sion, protection

;in thy clemency, a re-

fuge; and in thy goodness, a remedy.Wherefore, Lord, under the dreadof thy justice, I seek no other remedy,save that of thy mercy, nor fly to anyother shelter, but that of thy clemency.

In thee I place my trust, my God

:

for though by sin I have lost the nature

and privilege of a son, yet thou,

Lord, infinitely good, dost not lose the

nature and condition thou hast of a

father. Let then, Lord, thy infinite

grace complete that work in me whichthy infinite mercy has begun. Let thyclemency come to the succor of thy

miserable creature : take pity and com-passion on my poor soul. I am firmly

resolved, with the aid of thy grace, to

amend my life, confess my sins, andpersevere in thy service : to pardon in-

juries, avoid the occasions of evil, andabhor my vices : to make such restitu-

tion as I am able, and to observe, as in

A DEVOUT ACT OF CONTRITION. 415

duty bound, all thy commandments. I

trust, Lord, in thy infinite goodness,

that thou wilt pardon all my sins,

through the death and passion of myLord Jesus Christ: for though in his

wounds there is justice to punish me,yet in the same wounds there is like-

wise mercy to forgive me. Mercy

!

mercy ! mercy ! dear Jesus, have mercyon me.

THE LITTLE OFFICE

OF THE

ifomtaculate ffioraeptwm of tfie

OFFICE OF THE B. V, MARY. 417

At Matins.

V. Now let my lips sing and display,

R. The Blessed Virgin's praise this day,

V. Lady, to my help intend

:

R. Me strongly from my foes defend.


Tlie Hymn.

£fAIL, Lady of the world,

Of Heaven bright Queen.

Hail, Yirgin of virgins,

Star early seen.

Hail, full of all grace,

Clear light divine

;

Lady, to succor us,

With speed incline.

God, from eternity,

Before all other,

Of the world thee ordain'

d

To be the Mother.By which he created

The heavens, sea, land

:

His fair spouse he chose,

Free from sin's band.

418 OFFICE OF THE B. V, MARY.

V. God hath elected and pre-elected

her.

R. He hath made her dwell in his

tabernacle.

Let us pray.

OHOLY Mary, Mother of our LordJesus Christ, Queen of Heaven,

and Lady of the world, who nei-

ther forsakest nor despisest any, beholdme mercifully with the eye of pity, andobtain for me, of thy beloved Son, par-

don for all my sins : that I, who, withdevout affection, do now celebrate thyholy conception, may hereafter enjoy

the reward of eternal bliss; throughthe grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus

Christ, whom thou, a virgin, didst bring

forth; who, with the Father and the

Holy Ghost, livest and reignest one

God in perfect Trinity, forever andever. Amen.

V. Lord, hear my prayer

:


V. Let us bless our Lord

;

OFFICE OF THE B, V. MARY. 419

R. Thanks be to God.

V. And may the souls of the faithful

departed, through the mercy of

God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

At Prime.


:


V. Glory be to the Father, &c.

The Hymn.

HAIL, Virgin most prudent,

House for God placed,

With the sevenfold pillar

And table graced.

Saved from contagion

Of the frail earth

:

In the womb of thy parent,

Saint before birth

:

Mother of the living,

Gate of Saints' merits,

The new star of Jacob,

Queen of pure spirits

:

420 OFFICE OF THE B. V. MARY,

To Zebulon fearful

:

Armies' array

:

Be thou of Christians

Refuge and stay.

V. He hath created her in his HolySpirit.

R. And hath poured her out, over all

his works.

Let us pray.

OHOLY Mary, Mother of our Lord,

Sc., as before.


:



;




God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

At Third,


:



OFFICE OF THE B. V. MARY. 421

The Hymn.

HAIL, ark of the covenant,

King Solomon's throne.

Bright rainbow of heaven,

The bush of vision.

The fleece of Gideon,

The flowering rod

;

Sweet honey of Samson,Closet of God.

;Twas meet Son so noble

Should save from stain

("Wherewith Eve's children

Spotted remain)

The maid whom for motherHe had elected,

That she mio-ht be never

With sin infected.

V. I dwell m the highest

;

7?. And my throne is the pillar of the

clouds.

Let us pray.


&c, as before36

422 OFFICE OF THE B. V. MARY.


:

R. And let iny cry come unto thee.


;




God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

At Sixth.


:



The Hymn.

HAIL, Mother and Virgin :

Of the Trinity

Temple;joy of Angels,

Seal of purity,

Comfort of mourners,

Garden of pleasure,

Palm-tree of patience,

Chastity's measure

:

Thou, land sacerdotal,

Art blessed wholly,


From sin original

Exempted solely.

The city of the Highest,

Gate of the East;

Yirgin's gem, in thee

All graces rest.

V. As the lily among thorns

;

R. So my beloved among the daughters

of Adam.

Let us pray.

OHOLY Mary; Mother of our Lord,

&c, as before.


:



;




God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

At Ninth.


:




The Hymn.

HAIL, city of refuge.

King David's towerFenced with bulwark,

, And armor's power.

In thy conception

Charity did flame

;

The fierce dragon's pride

Was brought to shameJudith invincible,

Woman of arms,

Fair Abisaig, Virgin,

True David warms,Son of fair RachelDid Egypt store

;

Mary of the worldThe Saviour bore.

V. Thou art all fair, my beloved.

JR. And original spot was never in. thee.

Let us pray.


&c, as before.

OFFICE OF THE B. Y. MARY. 425


:


V. Let ns bless our Lord

;




God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

At Even-Song.


:



HThe Hymn.

AIL, dial, in whichTurns retrograde,

The sun, ten degrees

;

The Word is flesh made,That man from hell pit

To Heaven might rise,

Th; immense above angels,

In stable lies.

This Son did on MaryBetimes appear,36*


Made her conception

A morning clear.

Fair lily among thorns,

That serpent frights,

Clear moon that in darkThe wanderer lights.

V. In Heaven I made a never-failing

light rise,

R. And I covered all the world as amist.

Let us pray.

OHOLY Mary, Mother of our Lord.

&c, as before.


:



;




God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.


At Compline.

V. Let thy Son, Jesus Christ, Lady,pacified by thy prayers, convert

us

;

R. And turn his anger from us.


:



The Hymn.

HAIL, flourishing Virgin,

Chastity's renown

;

Queen of clemency,

Whom stars do crown

xThou, pure above Angels,

Dost Son behold,

Sitt'st at his right hand,

Attired in gold.

Mother of grace, hopeTo the dismayed

:

Bright star of the sea,

In shipwreck, aid

:

Grant, Heaven-gate open,

That by thee blest,

We thy Son may see

In blissful rest.

428 OFFICE OF THE B. V. MARY

V. Thy name, Mary, is oil poured out.

R. Thy servants have exceedingly loved

thee.

Let us pray.

OHOLY Mary, Mother of our LordJesus Christ, Queen of Heaven,and Lady of the world, who nei-

ther forsakest nor despisest any, beholdme mercifully with the eye of pity, andobtain for me, of thy beloved Son, par-

don for all my sins : that I, who, with

devout affection, do now celebrate thyholy conception, may hereafter enjoy

the reward of eternal bliss; through

the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus

Christ, whom thou, a virgin, didst bring

forth; who, with the Father and the

Holy Ghost, livest, &c.


:



;





God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

The Commendation.

TO thee, Yirgin pious,

We humbly present

These hours canonical

With pure intent.

Guide pilgrims, until

With Christ we meet

:

In our agony aid us,

Virgin sweet. Amen.

This Anthem following, with the Pray-er of the Immaculate Conception ofthe Blessed Virgin, is approved ofby Pope Paul V., who had granteda hundred days of indulgence to all

faithful Christians that shall devout-

ly recite the same.

Anthem.

THIS is the branch, in which wasneither knot of original, nor barkof actual sin found.


V. In thy conception, Virgin, thouwast immaculate.

R. Pray unto the Father for us, whoseSon thou didst bring forth.

J didst prepare a fit habitation for

thy Son, we beseech thee, that, as bythe foreseen death of her same Son thoudidst preserve her pure from all spot,

so likewise grant, that we, by her inter-

cession made free from sin, may attain

unto thee; through our Lord Jesus

Christ, thy Son, who, with thee andthe Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth,

one God, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.

GOD, who, by the immaculateconception of the Blessed Virgin,

432 THE JESUS PSALTER.

HERE is no other name un-

der heaven given to menwhereby we must be saved.—Acts iv. 12.

This Psalter consists offifteen petitions, and the glori-

ous Name of Jesus being repeat-

ed ten times before each of them, the

repetition is made thrice fifty times.

It may be said either all at once, or

at thrice, according to a person's

devotion and leisure, as this sacred

Name is not to be repeated hastily

over, but with great reverence anddevotion.

PART I.

You must begin by a devout kneeling,

or bowing, at the adorable name ofJesus, saying

:

—

IN the name of Jesus, let every kneebow, of things in heaven, of things

on earth, and of things under the

earth; and let every tongue confess,

THE JESUS PSALTER. 433

that our Lord Jesus Christ is in the

glory of God the Father.—Phil. ii. 10.

The First petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, )

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, > Havemercy on me.Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

)

JESUS, have mercy on me, God of

compassion, and forgive the manyand great offences I have commit-

ted in thy sight.

Many have been the follies of mylife, and great are the miseries I havedeserved for my ingratitude.

Have mercy on me, dear Jesus, for

I am weak ; Lord, heal me, who amunable to help myself.

.Deliver me from setting my heart

upon any of thy creatures, which maydivert my eyes from a continual look-

ing up to thee.

Grant me grace henceforth, for the

love of thee, to hate sin; and out of

a just esteem of thee, to despise all

worldly vanities.

37


Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, I

beseech thee, turn their vices into vir-

tues, and, making them true observers

of thy law, and sincere lovers of thee,

bring them to bliss in everlasting glory.

Have mercy also on the souls in pur-

gatory, for thy bitter passion, I beseech

thee, and for thy glorious name, Jesus.

blessed Trinity, one eternal God,have mercy on me. Our Father, &c.

Hail Mary, &c.

The Second petition.


Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, > Help me.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,)

JESUS, help me to overcome all temp-tations to sin, and the malice of myghostly enemy.

Help me to spend my time in virtu-

ous actions, and in such labors as are

acceptable to thee.

To resist and repel the motions of myflesh to sloth, gluttony, and impurity.

To render my heart enamored of vir-


tue, and inflamed with desire of thyglorious presence.

Help me to deserve and keep a goodname, by a peaceful and pious living,

to thy honor, Jesus, to my own com-fort, and the benefit of others.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as

before. Our Father, &c. HailMary,&c.

The Third petition.

1 Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, )

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, > Strengthen me.


JESUS, strengthen me in soul andbody, to please thee in doing suchworks of virtue as may bring me

to thy everlasting joy and felicity.

Grant me a firm purpose, most merci-

!

ful Saviour, to amend my life, and to

recompense for the years past

:

Those years which I have misspent

to thy displeasure in vain or wickedthoughts, words, deeds, and evil cus-

toms.


Make my heart obedient to thy will,

and ready, for thy love, to perform all

the works of mercy.

Grant me the gifts of the Holy Ghost,

which, by a virtuous life, and devoutfrequenting of thy mostholy sacraments,may at length bring me to thy heavenlykingdom.Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as

before. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary,&c.

The Fourth petition.


Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, > Comfort me.


JESUS, comfort me, and give megrace to place my chief, my only

joy and felicity in thee.

Send me heavenly meditations, spirit-

ual sweetness, and fervent desires of thvglory; ravish my soul with the con-

templation of heaven, where I shall ever-

lastingly dwell with thee.

Bring often to my remembrance thy


unspeakable goodness, thy gifts, andthe great kindness thou hast shown me.

And when thou bringest to my mindthe sad remembrance of my sins, where-

by I have so unkindly offended thee

;

Comfort me with the assurance of ob-

I

taining thy grace, by the spirit of perfect

repentance, which may purge away myguilt, and prepare me for thy kingdom.

Have mercy on all sinners, as before.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c.

The Fifth petition.

JJesus, Jesus, Jesus, )

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, > Make me constant.


JESUS, make me constant in faith,

hope, and charity, giving me perse-

verance in all virtues, and a resolu-

j

tion never to offend thee.

Let the memory of thy passion, andof those bitter pains thou sufferedst for

me, strengthen my patience, and re-

create me in all tribulation and adver-

sity.

37*


Let me always hold fast the doctrines

of thy Catholic Church, and render mea diligent frequenter of all holy duties.

Let no false delight of this deceitful

world blind me;no fleshly temptation,

or fraud of the devil, shake my heart

:

My heart, which has forever set upits rest in thee, and resolved to under-

value all for thy eternal reward.

Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, I

beseech thee ; turn their vices into vir-

tues, and making them true observers

of thy law, and sincere lovers of thee,

bring them to bliss in everlasting glory.

Have mercy also on the souls in pur-

gatory, for thy bitter passion, I beseech

thee, and for thy glorious name, Jesus.

blessed Trinity, one eternal God,

have mercy on me.Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled him-

self, being made obedient unto death,

even to the death of the cross.—Phil,

ii. 8.

Hear these my petitions, my mostmerciful Saviour, and grant me grace

so frequently to repeat and consider


them, that they may prove easy steps,

whereby my soul may ascend to the

knowledge, love, and performance of

my duty to thee and my neighbor,

through the whole course of my life.

Amen.Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, So.

I believe in God, &c.


PART II.

Begin as before, saying:—In the nameof Jesus, let every knee, &c.

The Sixth petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) ^ 7 - 7 , -, 7T j y

;/ Jbnliqhten me tvit/i

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, >• . v , 7 . 7

T j y M spiritual wisdom.J esus, J esus, J esus, )

^

RESITS, enlighten me withspiritual wisdom to know

4

thy goodness, and all thoseis things which are most ac-

ceptable to thee.

Grant me a clear apprehen-

sion of my only good, and discre-

tion to order my life according

to it.

Grant that I may wisely proceed

from virtue to virtue, till at length I

arrive at the clear vision of thy glorious

Majesty.

Permit me not, dear Lord, to return

to those sins for which I have beensorry, and of which I have purged my-self by repentance and confession.


Grant me grace to benefit the souls

of others by my good example, and to

reduce those by good counsel who mis-

behave towards me.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c.,.as at

first. Our Father}&c. Hail Mary,

&c.

The Seventh petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) n ,

t t t f Grant me graceJesus, Jesus, Jesus, >- . » aT t -r

;v to rear thee.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,) t

J

JESUS, grant me grace inwardly to

fear thee, and to avoid all occasions

of offending thee.

Let thy threats of the torments

which are to fall on sinners, the fear of

losing thy love and thy heavenly inher-

itance, always keep me in awe.

Let me not dare to remain in sin,

but soon return to repentance, lest

through thy anger the dreadful sentence

of endless death and damnation fall up-

on me.

Let the powerful intercession of thy


blessed Mother, and all thy saints ; but

above all, thy own merits and mercy,

my Saviour, be ever between thy aveng-

ing justice and my poor soul.

Enable me, my God, to work out

my salvation with fear and trembling

;

and let the apprehension of thy secret

judgments render me a more humbleand diligent suitor to the throne of thy

grace.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as

before. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary,

JESUS, grant me grace truly to love

thee for thy infinite goodness, andthose excessive bounties I have re-

ceived, and hope forever to receive

from thee.

Let the remembrance of thy kindness

and patience conquer the malice and

TJie Eighth petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,



Ghânt me graceto love thee.


wretched inclinations of my perverse

nature.

Let the consideration of my manydeliverances, thy frequent calls, andcontinual assistance in the ways of life,

make me ashamed of my ingratitude.

And what dost thou require of me for

all thy mercies, or by them, but to love

thee? And why dost thou require it,

but because thou art my only good?my dear Lord, my whole life shall

be nothing but a desire of thee : andbecause I indeed love thee, I will mostdiligently keep thy commandments.Have mercy on all sinners, &c., as be-

fore. Our Father, &c. HailMary, &c.

Tlie Ninth petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) Gh*ant me grace

JESUS, grant me grace always to re-

member my death, and the great

account I am then to give ; that so

my soul, being always well disposed,

may depart out of this world in thy grace.

to remember mydeath.


Then, by the holy intercession of thyblessed Mother, and the assistance of

the glorious St. Michael, deliver mefrom the enemy of my soul ; and thou,

my good angel, I beseech thee to help

me at that most important hour.

Then, dear Jesus, remember thymercy, and turn not thy most amiable

face away from me, because of myoffences.

Secure me against the terrors of that

day, by causing me now to die daily to

all earthly things, and so to have myconversation continuallv in heaven.

Let the remembrance of thy death

teach me how to esteem my life ; andthe memory of thy resurrection en-

courage me to descend cheerfully into

the grave.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as be-


The Tenth petition.




Send me here mypurgatory.


JESUS, send me here my purgatory,

and so prevent the torments of that

cleansing fire which attends those

souls in the next world that have not

been sufficiently purged in this.

Vouchsafe to grant me those merciful

crosses and afflictions, which thou seest

necessaryfor the taking offmy affections

from all things here below.

Since none can see thee that loves anything which is not for thy sake, suffer

not my heart to find any rest here, but

in sighing after thee.

Too bitter, alas ! will be the anguish of

a soul that is separated from thee, that

desires, but cannot come to thee, beingclogged with the heavy chains of sin.

Here then, my Saviour, keep mecontinually mortified to this world

;that,

being purged thoroughly with the fire

of thy love, I may immediately pass

hence into thy everlasting possession.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as in

the fifth petition. Our Father, &c.

Hail Mary, <&c. I believe in God, &c.

38I

i m


PART III.

Begin as before, saying

:

—In the nameof Jesus, let every knee, &c.

The Eleventh petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) Grant me graceJesus, Jesus, Jesus, > to avoid illcom-Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

)pang.

ESUS, grant me grace to

avoid ill company ; or if I

chance to come among such,

I beseech thee, by the mer-its of thy uncorrupt conver-

sation among sinners, preserve

me from being overcome by anytemptations to mortal sin.

Cause me, blessed Jesus, to remem-ber always with dread that thou art

present, and hearest, who wilt take anaccount of all our words and actions,

and wilt judge us according to them.

How dare I then converse with slan-

derers, liars, drunkards, or swearers;

or with such whose discourse is either

quarrelsome, dissolute, or vain ?

.THE JESUS PSALTER. 447

Repress in nie, dear Jesus, all inordi-

nate affections to carnal pleasure, andto the delight of taste

;grant me grace

to avoid such company as would blowthe fire of those unruly appetites.

Thy power defend, thy wisdom direct,

thy fatherly pity chastise me, and makeme live so here among men, that I maybe fit for the conversation ofangels here-

after.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as at

first. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) Grant me grace

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,) for help.

JESUS, grant me grace in all my ne-

cessities to call on thee for help,

faithfully remembering thy deathand resurrection for me.

Wilt thou be deaf to my cries, that

wouldst lay down thy life for my ran-

som? or canst thou not save me, that

couldst take it up again for my crown ?

The Twelfth petition.

to call on thee


Whoin have I in heaven but thee,

my Jesus, whose blessed mouth has pro-

nounced, Call on me in the clay of thy

troubleyand I will deliver theef

Thou art my sure rock of defence

against all sorts ofenemies ;thou art my

ready grace, able to strengthen me to

every good work.

Therefore, in all my sufferings, weak-nesses, and temptations, I will confi-

dently call on thee ; hear me, my Je-

sus, and, when thou hearest, have mercy.


fore. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &e.

The Thirteenth petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) ir 7

T t t 9

f Make me verse-Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, >• /\T t t M vere m virtue.Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

)

JESUS, make me persevere in virtue

and a good life, and never give over

thy service, till thou bringest me to

my reward in thy kingdom.

In all pious customs and holy duties,

in my honest and necessary employ-


ments, continue and strengthen, Lord,

my soul and body.

Is my life any thing but a pilgrimage

on earth, towards the new Jerusalem, to

which he that sits down, or turns out onthe way, can never arrive ?

Jesus, make me always consider

thy blessed example—throughhowmuchpain, and how little pleasure, thou didst

press on to a bitter death ; that being

the way to a glorious resurrection.

Make nie, my Redeemer, seriously

weigh those severe words of thine, Heonly that perseveres to the end shall he

saved.



The Fourteenth petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) Grant me grace to

JESUS, grant me grace to fix mymind on thee, especially in time of

prayer, when I directly conversewith thee.

fix my mind onthee.

38*


Stop the motions of my wanderinghead, and the desires of my unstable

heart;suppress the power of my spirit-

ual enemies, who endeavor at that time

to draw my mind from heavenly thoughtsto many vain imaginations.

So shall I, with joy and gratitude,

look on thee as my deliverer from all

the evils I have escaped; and as mybenefactor for all the good I have ever

received, or can hope for.

I shall see that thou art my only

good, and that all other things are butmeans ordained by thee, to make mefix my mind on thee, to make me love

thee more and more, and by loving thee

to be eternally happy.

beloved of my soul, take up all mythoughts here, that my eyes, abstaining

from all vain and hurtful sights, maybecome worthy to behold thee face to

face in thy glory forever.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, as he-



The Fifteenth petition.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, ) Qive me grace to or-

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, > der my life towards

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, )my eternal welfare.

JESUS, give me grace to order mylife towards my eternal welfare,

heartily intending, and wisely de-

signing, all the operations of my bodyand soul to obtain the reward of thy

infinite bliss and eternal felicity.

For what else is this world but a

school to breed up souls, and fit themfor the other ; and how are they fitted

but by an eager desire of enjoying God,

their only end ?

Break my froward spirit, Jesus;

make it humble and obedient: grant

me grace to depart hence with con-

tempt of this world, and a heart filled

with joy at my going to thee.

Let the memory of thy passion makeme cheerfully undergo all temptations

or sufferings here for thy love, whilst

my soul breathes after that blissful life


and immortal glory which thou hast

prepared in heaven for thy servants.

Jesus, let me frequently and atten-

tively consider that whatever I gain, if

I lose thee, all is lost : and whatever I

lose, if I gain thee, all is gained.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c., as

in the fifth petition. Our Father, &c.

Hail Mary, &c. I believe in God, &e.

AGNUS DEI. 453

A PRAYERTo be daily said by those who carry

about with them an Agnus Dei.

MY Lord Jesus Christ, the true

Lamb that takest away the sins

of the world ! by thy mercy,

which is infinite, pardon my iniquities

;

and by thy sacred passion preserve methis day from all sin and evil. I carry

about me this holy Agnus Dei in thy

honor, as a preservative against myown weakness, and as an incentive to

the practice of meekness, humility, and

454 THE MEMORARE.

innocence, which thou hast taught. I

offer myself up to thee as an entire

oblation, and in memory of that sacri-

fice of love thou offeredst for me on the

Cross, and in satisfaction for my sins.

Accept, my God, the oblation I make,and may it be agreeable to thee in the

odor of sweetness. Amen.

THE MEMORARE.

EMEMBER, Mary, tenderest-

hearted Virgin, how from of old

the ear hath never heard that he

who ran to thee for refuge, implored

mmmm

THE MEMORARE. 455

thy help, and sought thy prayers, wasforsaken of God. Virgin of virgins,

Mother, emboldened by this confidence

I fly to thee, to thee I come, and in

thy presence I a weeping sinner stand.

Mother of the Word Incarnate, cast

not away my prayer ; but in thy pity

hear and answer. Amen.

stations:

OR,

THE HOLY WAY OF THE CROSS.

The Antiphon.

E beseech thee, Lord, to

assist and direct our actions

by thy powerful grace, that

all our prayers and worksmay always begin and endwith thee. Through Christ

our Lord. Amen.

A preparatory Act of Contrition.

p^pra| JESUS, treasure ofmy soul, infi-

nitely good, infinitely merciful,l

1^^ behold me prostrate at thy sa-

cred feet ! Sinner as I am, I fly to the

arms of thy mercy, and implore that

grace which melts and converts—the

HOLY WAY OF THE CROSS. 457

grace of true compunction. I haveoffended thee, adorable Jesus ! I re-

pent; let the fervor of my love equal

the baseness of my ingratitude. This

Way of the Cross grant me to offer de-

voutly in memory of that painful jour-

ney thou hast travelled for our redemp-tion, to the Cross of Calvary, with the

holy design to reform my morals, amendmy life, and gain those indulgences

granted by thy vicars on earth. I ap-

ply one for my miserable soul, the rest

in suffrage for the souls in purgatory,

particularly N. N. [Here mention the

souls for whom you intend to applythem.] I begin this devotion underthy sacred protection, and in imitation

of thy dolorous Mother. Let then this

holy exercise obtain for me mercy in

this life, and glory in the next. Amen,Jesus.

39

458 HOLY WAY OF

THE FIRST STATION.

Christ is sentenced to Death by Pilate.

V. We adore thee;

Lord Jesus

Christ, and bless thee.

R. Because by thy holy Cross thouhast redeemed the world.

THE CROSS. 459

The Mystery.

>UR gracious Redeemer, after

suffering blows and blas-

phemies before Annas andCaiaphas, after the cruel

scourging, insulting contempts

and bloody crown of piercing

thorns, is unjustly condemned to

death. This iniquitous sentence

your Jesus accepted with admirable hu-

mility. Innocence embraces condem-nation, to free the guilty.

Reflect that your sins were the false

witnesses that condemned him; yourstubborn impenitence the tyrant that

extorted from Pilate the bloody sentence.

Propose now seriously an amendmentof life, and while you reflect on the

horrid injustice of Pilate, who condemnsinnocence lest he should not appear a

friend of Caesar, arraign yourselffor yourmany sins of human respect; think

how often you have offended God for

fear of displeasing the eye of the world,

and turning to your loving Jesus, ad-

460 HOLY WAY OF

dress hirn rather with tears of the heartthan with expressions of the tongue, in

the following

Prayer.

MANGLED victim of my sins !

suffering Jesus ! I have cle-

served those bloody scourges,

that cruel sentence of death ; and yet

thou didst die for nie, that I should live

for thee. I am convinced that if I de-

sire to please men;I cannot be thy ser-

vant. Let me then displease the worldand its vain admirers. I resign myselfinto thy hands. Let love take posses-

sion of my heart; let my eyes behold

with contempt every thing that canalienate my affections from thee; let

my ears be ever attentive to thy Word

;

let me through this painful journey ac-

company thee, sighing and demandingmercy. Mercy, Jesus ! Amen.


Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy onus

!

THE CROSS. 461

You pious Christians who do now drawnear,

With relenting hearts now lend a tear

;

Your Lord behold with great humility,

Sentenced to die on Mount Calvary.

462 HOLY WAY OF

THE SECOND STATION.

Christ takes the Cross on Ms shoulder.

V. We adore thee, Lord Jesus


R. Because by thy holy Cross thou

hast redeemed the world.

THE CROSS. 463

The Mystery.

IHIS second Station repre-

sents the place where yourmost amiable Redeemer is

clad in his usual attire,

after his inhuman executioners

had stripped him of the purple

garment of derision with whichhe was clothed, when as a vis-

ionary king they crowned him withplatted thorns. The heavy burden of

the Cross is violently placed on his man-gled shoulders.

Behold your gracious Saviour : thoughtorn with wounds, covered with blood, a

man of griefs, abandoned by all, withwhat silent patience he bears the taunts

and injuries with which the jews insult

him ! He stretches out his bleeding

arms, and tenderly embraces the Cross.

Reflect with confusion on that sensitive

pride which is fired with impatience at

the very shadow of contempt,—on yourdiscontented murmurs in your lightest

afflictions,—and your obstinate resis-

464 HOLY WAY OF

tance to the will of Heaven in the cross-

es of life, which are calculated to con-

duct you, not to a Calvary of Crucifixion,

but to the joys of eternal glory, andfrom your heart unite in the following

Prayer.

EEK and humble Jesus ! my ini-

quity and perverseness loaded thyshoulders with the heavy burden

of the Cross. Yet I, a vile worm of

the earth— shameful ingratitude !

—

fly even the appearance of mortifica-

tion, and every thing which could checkthe violence of my passions ; and if I

suffered, it was with a murmuring reluc-

tance. I now, Saviour of the world

!

detest my past life, and by thy grace amdetermined no more to offend thee mor-tally. Let me only glory in the Cross of

my Lord, by whom the world is cruci-

fied to me, and I to the world. Laythen on my stubborn neck the cross of

true penance ; let me, for love of thee,

bear the adversities of this life, and

THE CROSS. 465

cleave inseparably to thee in the bondsof perpetual charity. Amen

;Jesus.


Glory, &c.

Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy onus !

No pity for the Lamb was to be found;

As a mock King my loving Lord theycrowned

;

He bears his cross in his usual attire,

To save my soul from everlasting fire.

466 HOLY WAY OF

THE THIRD STATION.

Jesusfalls thefirst time under the Gross.

V. We adore thee, Lord JesusChrist, and bless thee.


THE CROSS. 467

The Mystery.

HIS third Station represents

how our Lord Jesus Christ,

overwhelmed by the weightofthe Cross, fainting throughloss of blood, falls to the

ground the first time.

Contemplate the unweariedpatience of the meek Lamb

amidst the insulting blows and curses of

his brutal executioners ; while you, impa-tient in adversity and infirmity, presumeto complain, nay, to insult the Majestyof Heaven by your curses and blasphe-

mies. Purpose here firmly to struggle

against the impatient sallies of temper

;

and beholding your amiable Jesus pros-

trate under the Cross, excite in yourselfa*

just hatred for those sins which rendered

insupportable that weight with whichyour Saviour, for love of you, was bur-

dened, and thus address your afflicted

Jesus

:

468 HOLY WAY OF

mPrayer.

LAS, my Jesus ! the merciless

violence of thy inhuman execu-

tioners, the excessive weight of

the Cross, or rather the more oppres-

sive load of my sins, bend thee to the

earth. Panting for breath, exhausted

as thou art, thou dost not refuse newtortures for me. Will I then refuse the

light burden of thy commandments;will I refuse to do violence to my per-

verse passions and sinful attachments

;

will I relapse into those very crimes for

which I have shed false and delusive

tears ? Jesus ! stretch thy holy

hand to my assistance, that I may never

more fall into mortal sin ; that I mayat the hour of death secure the im-

portant affair of my salvation. Amen,- Jesus.


Glory, &c.

Jesus Christ crucified, have mercyon us !

THE CROSS. 469

For want of blood lie fell unto the

ground,

No comfort for my Lord was to befound

;

For after all they forced him up again.

And scourged him on;for to augment

his pain.

40

470 HOLY WAY OF

THE FOURTH STATION.

Jesus carrying the Cross, meets Ms most

afflicted Mother.





THE CROSS. 471

The Mystery.

IHE fourth Station presents

to your contemplation the

meeting of the desolate

Mother and her bleeding

Jesus, staggering under the

weight of the Cross.

Consider what pangs rent

her soul, when she beheld her

beloved Jesus covered with blood, drag-

ged violently to the place of execution,

reviled and blasphemed by an ungrate-

ful, outrageous rabble. Meditate on her

inward feelings, the looks of silent

ao-onv exchanged between the Motherand the Son ; her anguish in not being

permitted to approach, to embrace, andto accompany him to death. Filled

with confusion at the thought that

neither the Son's pains nor Mother's

grief have softened the hardness of

your heart, contritely join in the fol-

lowing

472 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

MARY ! I am the cause of thysufferings ! refuge of sinners

!

let me participate in those heart-

felt pangs, which rent thy tender soul,

when thou didst behold thy Son, trem-

bling with cold, covered with wounds,fainting under the Cross, more deadthan alive ! Mournful Mother ! foun-

tain of love ! let me feel the force of

thy grief, that I may weep with thee,

and mingle my tears with thine, andthy Son's blood. suffering Jesus

!

by thy bitter passion, and the heart-

breaking compassion of thy afflicted

Mother, grant me the efficacious grace

of perseverance ! Mother of Jesus, in-

tercede for me ! Jesus, behold me with

an eye of pity, and in the hour of mydeath receive me to the arms of thy

mercy ! Amen, Jesus !

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, " &c.

Glory, &c.

Jesus Christ crucified, have mercyon us

!

THE CROSS. 473

Behold your Lord;with perfect weak-

ness heGoes staggering on in his great agony,

Till his afflicted Mother he did see,

Crying, Son, Son ! my heart does

bleed for thee.

40*

474 HOLY WAY OF

THE FIFTH STATION.

Christ assisted by Simon the Cyreneanto carry the Cross.

V. We adore thee;

Lord Jesus




THE CROSS. 475

The Mystery.

IHE fifth Station represents

Christ fainting, destitute of

strength, unable to carry

the Cross. His sacrilegious

executioners compel Simonthe Cyrenean to carry it, not

through compassionate pity to

Jesus, but lest he should expire

in their hands, before they could glut

their vengeance by nailing him to the

Cross.

Consider here the repugnance of Si-

mon to carry the Cross after Christ;

and that you, with repugnance and bycompulsion, carry the Cross whichProvidence has placed on your shoul-

ders. Will you spurn the love of yourJesus, who invites you to take up yourcross and follow him? Will you yet

with shameless ingratitude refuse the

Cross, sanctified by his suffering ? Of-

fer up devoutly the following

476 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

SUFFERING Jesus! to whatexcess did thy impious execution-

ers' cruelty proceed ! Beholdingthee faint under the Cross, apprehensive

of thy death before they could completetheir bloody intentions, they compel Si-

mon to carry the Cross, that thou might-est expire on it in the most exquisite

torture. But why should I complain of

the cruelty of the Jews, or the repug-

nance of Simon ? Have I not again

crucified thee by my crimes ? Have I

not suffered with fretful impatience the

light afflictions with wilich thy mercyvisited me ? Inspire me now, my Jesus,

to detest and deplore my sinful impa-

tience, my ungrateful murmurs, and let

me with all my heart cheerfully accom-pany thee to Mount Calvary : let melive in thee, * and die in thee. Amen,Jesus.


Glory, &c.

THE CROSS, 477


The outrageous Jews, when fainting Je-

sus fell,

Simon to bear his cross they did com-pel :

Afflictions bear like Job most patiently,

And follow the Lamb with great hu-

mility.

478 HOLY WAY OF

THE SIXTH STATION.

Veronica presents a Handkerchief to

Christ


Christ, and bless thee


hast redeemed the worlda

THE CROSS. 479

The Mystery.

i

HE sixth Station represents

the place where the pious

Veronica, compassionatingour agonizing Redeemer,

beholding his sacred face livid

with blows, and covered with

blood and sweat, presents a

handkerchief, with which Jesus

wipes his face.

Consider the heroic piety of this de-

vout woman, who is not intimidated bythe presence of the executioners, or the

clamors of the Jews, and the tender ac-

knowledgment of Jesus. Reflect here,

that though you cannot personally dis-

charge the debt of humanity to yourSaviour, you can discharge it to his suf-

fering members, the poor. Though youcannot wipe away the blood and sweatfrom the face of Jesus, you can wipeaway the tear of wretchedness from the

eye of misery. Examine, then, what re-

turns you have made for the singular

graces and favors your bountiful Jesus

480 HOLY WAY OF

bestowed on you ; and conscious of youringratitude, address your injured Saviourin the following

Prayer.

JESUS, grant me tears to weepmy ingratitude. How often haveI, infatuated wretch, turned my

eyes from thee and thy sufferings, to fix

them on the world and its vanities !

Let me henceforth be thine- without

division. Stamp thy image on my soul,

that it may never admit another love.

Take possession of my heart on earth,

thatmy soul may take eternal possession

of thee in glory. Amen, Jesus.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, <&c.

Glory, &c.


!

Yeronica, who when our Lord did

see,

A handkerchief present to him did

she:

THE CROSS. 481

My good Lord by looks that were di-

vine,

Has left his countenance on the samebehind.

41

482 HOLY WAY OF

THE SEVENTH STATION.

Jesus falls under the Cross the secondtime

V. We adore thee, Lord JesusChrist, and bless thee.


THE CROSS.

The Mystery.

HE seventh Station repre-

sents the gate of Jerusalem,

called the Gate of Judg-w nient, at the entrance of

which our Saviour, throughanguish and weakness, falls to

the ground. He is compelled

by blows and blasphemies to

rise.

Consider your Jesus prostrate on the

earth, bruised by his fall, and ignomi-

niously treated by an ungrateful rabble.

Reflect that your self-love and pride of

preference were the cause of this humil-

iation. Implore, then, grace to detest

sincerely your haughty spirit and prouddisposition. It was your reiterated sins

which again pressed him to the ground.

Will you then sin again, and add to

the afflictions of your gracious Sa-

viour ?

484 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

MOST Holy Redeemer ! treated

with the utmost contempt, de-

prived of fame and honor; led

out to punishment;through excess of

torments and the weakness of thy del-

icate and mangled body, thou didst fall

a second time to the earth. What im-

pious hand has prostrated thee ? Alas,

my Jesus, I am that impious, that sac-

rilegious offender : my ambitious pride,

my haughty indignation, my contemptof others, humbled thee to the earth.

Banish forever from my mind the un-

happy spirit of pride. Teach my heart

the doctrine of humility, so that, de-

testing pride, vain-glory, and humanrespect, I may forever be united with

thee, my meek and humble Jesus.

Amen.Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c.

Glory, &c.


THE CROSS. 485

At Jerusalem's gate lie fell once

more

;

To save our souls lie suffered sore

;

For his great mercy let us alwayscall.

Since our vain pride has caused his

great downfall.

41*

486 HOLY WAY OF

THE EIGHTH STATION.

Christ consoles the Women of Jerusa-

lem who wept over him.



i?. Because by thy holy Cross thou


THE CROSS. 487

The Mystery.

IHIS Station represents the

place where several devoutwomen meeting Jesus, andbeholding him wounded,

and bathed in his blood, shedtears of compassion over him.

Consider the excessive love

of Jesus, who, though languish-

ing and half dead through the multi-

tude of his torments, is nevertheless

attentive to console the women whowept over him. They merited that ten-

der consolation from the mouth of Je-

sus, " Weep not over me, but over your-selves and your children." Weep for

your sins, the sources of my affliction.

Yes, my soul ! I will obey my suffer-

ing Lord, and pour out tears of com-punction. Nothing more eloquent thanthe voice of those tears which flow fromthe horror of our sins. Address himin the following

488 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

JESUS, only-begotten Son ofthe

Father ! who will give water to

my head, and a fountain of tears

to my eyes, that I may day and night

weep and lament my sins ? I humblybeseech thee by those tears of blood

thou didst shed for me, to soften myflinty bosom, that tears may plentifully

flow from my eyes, and contrition rendmy heart, this hardened heart, to cancel

my crimes and render me secure in the

day of wrath and examination, whenthou wilt come to judge the living andthe dead, and demand a rigorous ac-

count of thy blood. Amen, Jesus.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, Sc.

Glory, &c.


With tears of love the women they did

weep,

Compassionating our Redeemer sweet

:

THE CROSS. 489

Weep for your sins which caused himhere to be

:

Lamb of God, your mercy show to

me.

Jesus falls under the Gross the third

time.

V. We adore thee;

Lord Jesus




THE CROSS. 491

The Mystery.

^^^^^HIS Station represents -the

foot of Mount Calvary,

where Jesus Christ, quite

destitute of strength, falls-a

third time to the ground.

The anguish of his wounds is

renewed.

Consider here the many inju-

ries and blasphemous derisions thrownout against Christ, to compel him to

rise and hasten to the place of execu-

tion, that his inveterate enemies mightenjoy the savage satisfaction of behold-

ing him expire on the Cross. Consider

that by your sins you daily hurry himto the place of execution. Approachhim in thought to the foot of MountCalvary, and cry out against the accurs-

ed weight of sin that prostrated Jesus,

and had long since buried thee in the

flames of hell, if his mercy and the

merits of his passion had not preservedthee.

492 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

CLEMENT JESUS! I return

thee infinite thanks, for not per-

mitting me, ungrateful sinner, as

thou hast permitted thousands less

criminal, to die in their sins—I, whohave added torments to thy torments,

by heaping sin on sin. Kindle in mysoul the fire of charity, fan it with thycontinual grace into perseverance, until,

delivered from the body of this death,

I can enjoy the liberty of the chil-

dren of God and thy co-heirs. Amen,Jesus.

Our Father, Sc. Hail Mary, &c.

Glory, &c.

Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy onus

!

The third time he fell was at MountCalvary;

Black and bruised and sorely scourged

was he :

THE CROSS. 493

gracious Lord;you suffered all for

me.

To save my soul from endless misery.

42

494 HOLY WAY OF

THE TENTH STATION.

Jesus is stripped of Ms Garments, andoffered Vinegar and Gall.

V. We adore thee;

Lord JesusChrist, and bless thee.

jR. Because by thy holy Gross thouhast redeemed the world.

THE CROSS. 495

The Mystery.

W^^^^ HIS Station represents howour Lord Jesns Christ as-

cended Mount Calvary, andwas by his inhuman execu-

W tioners stripped of his gar-

ments. The skin and congeal-

ed blood are torn off with them,

and his wounds renewed.

Consider the confusion of the modestLanib, exposed naked to the contemptand derision of an insulting rabble.

They present him with vinegar and gall

for a refreshment. Condemn here that

delicacy of taste, that sensual indul-

gence, with which you flatter your sinful

body. Pray here for the spirit of

Christian mortification. Think howhappy you would die, if, stripped of the

world and its attachments, you could

expire covered with the blood and agonyof Jesus.

496 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

IRSUFFERING JESUS! I behold

j^^y thee stripped of thy garments,L thy old wounds renewed, and newones added to the old. I behold thee

naked in the presence of thousands,

exposed to the inclemency of the

weather;

cold, trembling from head to

foot, insulted by the blasphemous deri-

sions of the spectators. Strip, man-gled Lamb of God ! my heart of the

world and its deceitful affections. Di-

vest my soul of its habits of sensual

indulgence. Embitter the poisoned cupof pleasure, that I may dash it with

contempt from my lips, and throughChristian mortification arrive at thynever-fading glory. Amen, Jesus.


Glory, &c.

Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy onus!

THE CROSS. 497

How cruel it was to view my Lord in-

deed !

I think the Queen of Angels' heart did

bleed

To see her Son stripped naked to her

view.

And exposed to that sad bloody crew.

498 HOLY WAY OF

THE ELEVENTH STATION.

Christ is nailed to the Cross.

V. We adore thee;

Lord JesusChrist, and bless thee.


THE CROSS. 499

TJie Mystery.

HIS Station represents the

place where Jesus Christ, in

the presence of his afflicted

Mother, is stretched on the

Cross, and nailed to it. Howinsufferable the torture !—the

nerves and sinews are rent by the

nails.

Consider the exceeding desolation,

the anguish of the tender Mother, eye-

witness of this inhuman punishment of

her beloved Jesus. Generously resolve

then to crucify your criminal desires, andnail your sins to the wood of the cross.

Contemplate the suffering resignation of

the Son of God to the will of his Fa-ther, while you are impatient in trifling

afflictions, in trivial disappointments.

Purpose henceforth to embrace yourcross with ready resignation to the will

of God.

500 HOLY WAY OF

Prayer.

PATIENT JESUS! meekLambof God ! who promised, " WhenI shall be exalted from earth I

will draw all things to myself\" attract

my heart to thee, and nail it to the

Cross. I now renounce and detest mypast impatience. Let me crucify myflesh with its concupiscence and vices.

Here burn, here cilt, but spare me for

eternity. I throw myself into the armsof thy mercy. Thy will be done in all

things. Grant me resignation, grant

me thy love, I desire no more. Amen,Jesus.


Glory, <&c.


You Christian dames, now join with

Mary's grief

;

Heaven and earth, I see, denies re-

lief;

THE CROSS. 501

Her heart was pierced with grief to

see

Her loving Jesus nailed unto a tree.

502 HOLY WAY OF

THE TWELFTH STATION.

Christ is exalted on the Cross and dies.




THE CROSS. 503

The Mystery.

^giHIS Station represents ther

$Qfy place where Jesus Christ

i?f^ was publicly exalted on theW Cross, between two robbers,

|S| who for their enormous crimes

were executed with the inno-

cent Lamb.Consider here the confusion of

your Saviour, exposed naked to the

profane view of a blasphemous multi-

tude. Imagine yourself at the foot of

the Cross. Behold that sacred bodystreaming blood from every part. Con-

template the divine countenance pale

and languid, the heart throbbing in the

last pangs of agony, the soul on the

point of separation : yet charity tri-

umphs over his agony; his last pray-

ers petition forgiveness for his enemies.

"Father, forgive them, for they knownot what they do." His clemency is

equally extended to the penitent thief

:

"This day shalt thou be with me in

Paradise." He recommends in his last

504 HOLY WAY OF

moments his disconsolate Mother to his

beloved St. John. He recommends his

soul to his heavenly Father, and bowingdown his submissive, obedient head,

resigns his spirit. Turn your eyes onthe naked bloody portrait of charity.

Number his wounds. Wash them withtears of sympathizing love. Behold the

arms extended to embrace you. Loveof Jesus ! you die to deliver us frometernal captivity.

Prayer.

SUFFERING Son of God! I

now behold thee in the last con-

vulsive pangs of death,—thy

veins opened, thy sinews torn, thy handsand feet, Fountain of Paradise ! distil-

ling blood. I acknowledge, charitable

Jesus, that my reiterated offences have

been thy merciless executioners, the

cause of thy bitter sufferings and death.

Yet, God of mercy, look on my sinful

soul, bathe it in thy precious blood

!

Let me die to the vanity of the world,

THE CROSS. 505

and renounce its false pleasures. Thoudidst pray, my Jesus, for thy enemies.

I forgive mine. I embrace them in the

bowels of thy charity. I bury my re-

sentment in thy wounds. Shelter mein the day of wrath in the sanctuary of

thy side. Let me live, let me die in mycrucified Jesus. Amen.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c.}

Glory, &c.


!

Behold the streams of blood from everypart,

And the sharp lance that pierced his

sacred heart

;

Exposed and naked he is stretched onhigh.

For our sins, on the Mount of Calvary.

43

506 HOLY WAY OF

THE THIRTEENTH STATION.

Christ is taken down from the Cross.

V. We adore thee, Lord Jesus'




THE CROSS. 507

The Mystery.

IHIS Station represents the

place where Christ's mostsacred body was takendown from the Cross by

Joseph and Mcodemus, andlaid in the bosom of his weep-

ing Mother.

Consider the sighs and tears

of the Virgin Mother, with what pangsshe embraced the bloody remains of her

beloved Jesus. Here unite your tears

with those of the disconsolate Mother.

Keflect, that your Jesus would not de-

scend from the Cross, until he consum-mated the work of redemption; andthat at his departure from, as well as at

his entrance into, the world, he wouldbe placed in the bosom of his belovedMother. Hence learn constancy in yourpious resolutions ! cleave to the standardof the Cross. Consider with what pu-rity that soul should be adorned, whichreceives in the blessed Sacrament of the

508 HOLY WAY OF

Eucharist Christ's most sacred body andblood.

Prayer.

j|T length, blessed Virgin ! Moth-er of sorrow ! thou art permitted

to embrace thy beloved Son.

But alas ! the fruit of thy immaculatewomb is all over mangled, in one con-

tinued wound. Yes, Lord ! the in-

fernal fury of the Jews has at length

triumphed;yetwe renew their barbarity,

crucifying thee by our sins, inflicting

new wounds. Most afflicted Mother of

my Redeemer, I conjure thee by the

pains and torments thou sufferedst in

the common cause of Salvation, to ob-

tain for me, by thy powerful intercession,

pardon of my sins, and grace to weep,with a sympathizing feeling, thine andthy Son's afflictions. As often as I

appear at the holy Sacrifice of the Mass,

let me embrace thee, my Jesus, in the

bosom of my heart. May I worthily

THE CROSS. 509

receive thee as the sacred pledge of mysalvation. Amen, Jesus.


Glory, &c.


!

When from the Cross they took the

holy Lamb,His Mother cries, My son, I am undone

;

My child is dead, you virgins join with

me,And to lament my love's sad destiny.

43*

I

510 HOLY WAY OF

THE FOURTEENTH STATION.

Christ is laid in the Holy Sepulchre.



H. Because by thy holy Cross thou


THE CROSS. 511

The Mystery.

IHIS Station represents

Christ's Sepulchre, wherehis blessed body was laid

with piety and devotion.

Consider the emotions of

the Virgin—her eyes stream-

ing with tears;her bosom heaving

with sighs. What melancholy,

what wistful looks she cast on that mon-ument where the treasure of her soul,

her Jesus, her all lay entombed ! Herelament your want of contrition for yoursins, and humbly adore your deceased

Lord, who, poor even in death, is buried

in another's tomb. Blush at your de-

pendence on the world, and the eager

solicitude with which you labor to

grasp its perishable advantages. De-spise henceforth the world, lest you per-

ish with it.

Prayer.

HABITABLE Jesus, for my sal-

vation thou performedst the pain-

ful journey of the Cross. Let

512 HOLY WAY OF

me press the footsteps marked by thee,

gracious Kedeemer—the paths which,

through the thorns of life, conduct to

the heavenly Jerusalem. Would that

thou wert entombed in my heart, that

being united to thee, I might rise to

a new life of grace, and persevere to

the end. Grant me in my last momentsto receive thy precious Body as the

pledge of immortal life. Let my last

words be Jesus and Mary;my last

breath be united to thy lastbreath on the

Cross ; that with a lively faith, a firm

hope, and ardent love, I may die with

thee and for thee; that I may reign

with thee forever and ever. Amen,Jesus.


Glory, &c.


!

You pious Christians, raise your voices,

raise,

And join with me to sing your Saviour's

praise

;

THE CROSS. 513

I

Who died for us, and spilt his blood

most free.

To save our souls from endless misery.

(COMPASSIONATE Jesus! behold

J with eyes of mercy this devotion I

have endeavored to perform, in

honor of thy bitter passion and death,

in order to obtain remission of my sins,

and the pains incurred by them. Acceptof it for the salvation of the living andthe eternal repose of the faithful depart-

ed, particularly for those for whom I di-

rected it. Do not, my Jesus, suffer the

ineffable price of thy blood to be fruit-

less, nor my miserable soul, ransomed byit, to perish. The voice of thy blood

is louder for mercy than my crimes for

vengeance. Have mercy, then, Lord

!

have mercy, and spare me for thy mer-cy's sake ! Amen, Jesus.

Virgin.

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES,

Assigned for Mondays and Thursdaysthroughout the Year, the Sundays ofAdvent, and after Epiphany till Lent.

N the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the

Holy Ghost. Amen.V. Hail, Mary, full of

grace, our Lord is with thee.

R. Blessed art thou amongstwomen, and blessed is the fruit

of thy womb, Jesus.

V. Thou, Lord, wilt open my lips.

R. And my tongue shall announce thy

praise.

V. Incline unto my aid, God.

R. Lord, make haste to help me.


As it was in the beginning, &c.

Alleluia, or praise be to thee, Lord

!

King of eternal glory.

ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 515

THE FIRST MYSTERY.

The Annunciation.

The Meditation.

O^.ÊT us contemplate in this

^ mystery, how the AngelGabriel saluted our blessed

Lady with the title Full of

Grace, and declared unto her

the incarnation of our Lordand Saviour Jesus Christ. Thensay, Our Father, once, Hail Mary,

ten times. Glory be to the Father, once.

516 ROSARY OP THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

The Prayer.

HOLY Mary, Queen of Virgins;

by the most high mystery of the

incarnation of thy beloved Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ,. by which our

salvation was so happily begun ; obtain

for us, by thy intercession, light to knowthis so great benefit which he hath be-

stowed upon us, vouchsafing in it to

make himself our brother, and thee, his

own most beloved Mother, our Motheralso. Amen.


THE SECOND MYSTERY.

The Visitation.

The Meditation.

,$ÊT us contemplate in this

^? mystery, how the blessed

Virgin Mary;understanding

from the Angel that her

cousin, St. Elizabeth, had con-

ceived, went with haste into

the mountains of Judea, to visit

her, and remained with her three

months.

Our Fathery&c, &c.

}as before.

44

518 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

The Prayer,

HOLY Virgin, most spotless mir-

ror of humility, by that exceeding

charity which moved thee to

visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, ob-

tain for us, by thy intercession, that our

hearts may be so visited by thy mostholy Son, that being free from all sin,

we may praise him and give him thanksforever. Amen.


THE THIRD MYSTERY.

2<sx@><s><s><@><e><@><s><s><»>«><s><s><s><s><s>s<

The Nativity.

The Meditation.

$#ET us contemplate in this

mystery, how the blessed

Virgin Mary, when the

time of her delivery wascome, brought forth our Ee-

deemer Christ Jesus, at mid-

night, and laid him in a manger,

because there was no room for

him in the inns at Bethlehem.

Out Father', &c.}&c.


The Prayer.

MOST pure Mother of God, bythy virginal and most joyful

delivery, by which thou gavest

unto the world thy Son our Saviour

;

we beseech thee, obtain for us, by thy

intercession, grace to lead such pure

and holy lives in this world, that wemay worthily sing without ceasing,

both by day and night, the mercies of

thy Son, and his benefits to us by thee.

Amen.


THE FOURTH MYSTERY.

The Presentation.

The Meditation.

ÊT us contemplate in this

mystery, how the mostblessed Yirgin Mary, on the

day of her purification, pre-

sented the child Jesus in the

temple, where holy Simeon,

giving thanks to God with great

devotion, received him into his

arms.

Out Father, &c, &c.44*


The Prayer.

HOLY Virgin and admirable

Mistress and Pattern of Obedi-

ence, who didst present in the

temple the Lord of the temple ; obtain

for us, of thy beloved Son, that with

holy Simeon and devout Anne;we may

praise and glorify him forever. AmeD.


THE FIFTH MYSTERY.

The Finding in the Temple.

The Meditation.

WET us contemplate in this

H£ mystery, how the blessed

Virgin Mary, having lost

her beloved Son in Jerusa-

lem, sought him for the space

of three days, and at length

found him the fourth day in the

temple, in the midst of the doc-

tors, disputing with them, being then

but twelve years old.

Our Father, &c, &c.


The Prayer.

OST blessed Virgin, more thanMartyr in thy sufferings, and yet

the comfort of such as are afflict-

ed; by that unspeakable joy, where-with thy soul was ravished in finding

thy beloved Son in the temple, in the

midst of the doctors, disputing withthem; obtain of him for us so to seek

him and to find him in the holy Catho-

lic Church that we may never be sepa-

rated from him. Amen.

Salve Regina.

AIL ! holy Queen, Mother of Mer-cy, our Life, our Sweetness, andour Hope; to thee do we cry,

poor banished sons of Eve ; to thee dowe send up our sighs, mourning andweeping in this valley of tears : turn

then, most gracious advocate, thy eyes

of mercy towards us, and after this our

exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of

thy womb, Jesus. most clement,

most pious, and most sweet Virgin

Mary.



God.R. That we may be made worthy of


Let us pray.

HEAR, merciful God, the prayers

of thy servants, that we whomeet together in the society of

the most holy Rosary of the Blessed

Virgin Mother of God, may, throughher intercession, be delivered by thee

from the dangers that continually hangover us. Amen.

OGOD, whose only-begotten Son,

by his life, death, and resurrection,

has purchased for us the rewardsof eternal life

;grant, we beseech thee,

that meditating upon those mysteries,

in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed

Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they

contain, and obtain what they promise,

through the same Christ our Lord.


Boloxom ox gorroto&tl

For Tuesdays and Fridays throughoutthe Year, and the Sundays in Lent.

THE FIRST MYSTERY.

The Prayer and Bloody sweat of ourBlessed Saviour in the Garden.


The Meditation.

ET us contemplate in this

mystery, how our LordJesus was so afflicted for us

in the garden of Gethse-

mane, that his body wasbathed in a bloody sweat,

which ran trickling down in

great drops to the ground.

Our Father, &c., once. Hail Mary,ten times. Glory be to the Father, &c,once.

The Prayer.

OST holy Virgin, more than Mar-tyr, by that ardent prayer whichthy beloved Son poured forth

unto his Father in the garden, vouchsafe

to intercede for us, that our passions

being reduced to the obedience of reason,

we may always and in all things conformand subject ourselves to the will of God.

Amen.

528 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN,

THE SECOND MYSTERY.

The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar.

The Meditation.

kÊT us contemplate in this

mystery, how our LordJesus Christ was most cru-

elly scourged in Pilate's

house, the number of stripes

they gave him being abovefive thousand, as it was revealed

to St. Bridget.

Our Father}&c.

}&c.


The Prayer.

MOTHER of God, overflowing

Fountain of patience, by those

stripes thy only and most beloved

Son vouchsafed to suffer for us, obtain

of him for us grace, that we may knowhow to mortify our rebellious senses,

and cut off all occasions of sinning with

that sword of grief and compassion

which pierced thy most tender soul.

Amen.

45


THE THIRD MYSTERY.

g»»<s><s><s><®><s><s><s><@><s><@><^><s><s><s>£

The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns.

The Meditation.

ÊT us contemplate in this

mystery, how those cruel

ministers of Satan plaited

a crown of sharp thorns,

and most cruelly pressed it onthe most sacred head of our

Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Father, <&c, &c.


The Prayer.

MOTHER of our eternal Prince

and King of Glory, by those

sharp thorns wherewith his mostholy head was pierced, we beseech thee,

that, by thy intercession, we may bedelivered here from all motions of pride,

and in the day of Judgment from that

confusion which our sins deserve.

Amen.


THE FOURTH MYSTERY.

Jesus Carrying his Cross.

TJie Meditation.

fS^'ET us contemplate in this

£jw mystery, how our Lord

Jesus Christ (being senten-

ced to die) bore with great

patience the Cross which was

laid upon him for his greater

torment and ignominy.

Our Father, &c, &c.


The Prayer.

HOLY Virgin, example of pa-

tience, by the most painful car-

rying of the Cross, on which thySon our Lord Jesus Christ bore the

heavy weight of our sins, obtain for us

of him, by thy intercession, courage

and strength to follow his steps, andbear our cross after him to the end of

our lives. Amen.

45*


THE FIFTH MYSTERY.

The Crucifixion.

TJie Meditation.

us contemplate in this

2^ mystery, how our LordJesus Christ being come to

Mount Calvary, was strip-

ped of his clothes, and his

hands and feet most cruelly

nailed to the Cross, in the pres-

ence of his most afflicted

Mother.

Our Father, &c, &c.

HOSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 535

The Prayer.

]OLY Mary, Mother of G-od, as the

body of thy beloved Son was for

us extended on the Cross, so mayour desires be daily more and morestretched out in his service, and our

hearts wounded with compassion of his

most bitter passion ; and thou, mostblessed Virgin, vouchsafe to negotiate for

and with us the work of our salvation,

by thy powerful intercession. Amen.Glory be to the Father, &c.

Hail holy Queen, &c. With the

verse andprayer as before.


THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES.

For WednesdaysandSaturdays throughout the year ; and Sundays after Easter until Advent

THE FIRST MYSTERY.

The Resurrection.


The Meditation.

O^ÊT us contemplate in this

a^w mystery, how our Lord Je-

sus Christ, triumphing glo-

riously over death, rose

again the third day, immortal

and impassible.

Our Father, &c., once. Hail

Mary, ten times. Glory be to the

Father, &c, once.

The Prayer.

GLORIOUS Virgin Mary, by that

unspeakable joy thou receivedst

in the resurrection of thy only be-

loved Son, we beseech thee, obtain of

him for us, that our hearts may never goastray after the false joys of this world,

but may be ever and wholly employedin pursuit of the only true and solid joysof heaven. Amen.


THE SECOND MYSTERY.

The Ascension.

The Meditation.

^^ÊT us contemplate in this

mystery, how our Lord Je-

sus Christ, forty days after

his resurrection, ascended

into heaven, attended by an-

gels, in sight of his most holy

Mother, and his Apostles andDisciples, to the great admira-

tion of them all.

Out Father, &c, <#<?., as before.


The Prayer.

MOTHER of God, comfort of the

afflicted, as thy beloved Son,

when he ascended into heaven,

lifted up his hands, and blessed his

Apostles, so vouchsafe, most holy Moth-er, to lift up thy pure hands to him for

us, that we may enjoy the benefit of his

blessing here on earth, and hereafter in

heaven. Amen.


THE THIRD MYSTERY.

The Descent of the Holy Ghost.

The Meditation.

VÔ^ftfET us contemplate in this

w*if^^^mystery, how our Lord Je-

i^^^^^ sus Christ, being seated on

to^^^^^ the right hand of God, sent

f^^^ (as he had promised) the HolyM^^^ Ghost upon his Apostles, who^^^L after he ascended, returning to

Jerusalem, continued in prayer

and supplication with the blessed Vir-

gin Mary, expecting the performanceof his promise.

Our Father, &c., &c.


TJie

SACRED Virgin, tabernacle of

the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee,

obtain by thy intercession, that

this most sweet Comforter, whom thy be-

loved Son sent down upon his Apostles,

filling them thereby with spiritual joy,

may teach us in this world the true wayof salvation, and make us walk in the

paths of virtue and good works. Amen.

Prayer.

46


THE FOURTH MYSTERY.

TJie Assumption.

OK^'ET us contemplate in this

raystery, how the glorious

, Virgin, twelve years after

the resurrection of her Son,

S passed out of this world unto

him, and was by him assumedinto heaven, accompanied by the

holy angels.

Our Father, &c, &c.

The Prayer.

MOST prudent Virgin, who en-

tering into the heavenly palace

didst fill the holy angels with


joy, and man with hope ;vouchsafe to

intercede for us in the hour of our death,

that being free from the illusions andtemptations of the devil, we may joy-

fully and securely pass out of this tem-poral state to enjoy the happiness of

eternal life. Amen.


THE FIFTH MYSTERY.

The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin,

The Meditation.

fET us contemplate in this

A^J mystery, how the glorious

Virgin Mary was, with great

jubilee and exultation of the

whole court of Heaven, andparticular glory of all the

Saints, crowned by her Son with

the brightest diadem of glory.

Our Father}&c.

}&c.


TJie Prayer,

GLORIOUS Queen of all the

heavenly citizens, we beseechthee, accept this Rosary, which

(as a crown of roses) we offer at thyfeet; and grant, most gracious Lady,that by thy intercession our so tils maybe inflamed with so ardent a desire of

seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that

it may never die in us, until it shall bechanged into the happy fruition of thyblessed sight. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, &c. With the verse

andprayers as before.

46*

PRAYERS OF ST. BRIDGET. 547

To be said in honor of the sacredWounds of our blessed Saviour.

°P^^M MOST sweet Lord Jesus

Christ, eternal sweetness of

|^^^^ those who love thee ; and

^^f^m^ joy, desire, and firm hope°^ hopeless ; solace of the

sorrowful, and most merciful

i^kM" lover of all penitent sinners

;

who hast said thy delight is to

be with the sons of men ; for the love

of whom thou didst assume human na-

ture in the fulness of time;remember,

most sweet Lord Jesus, all those sharp

sorrows which did pierce thy sacred

soul, from the first instant of thy incar-

nation, until the time of thy sorrowful

passion, preordained from all eternity

:

remember, most amiable Saviour, all

that bitter anguish thou didst suffer,

when at thy last supper thou didst washthe feet of thy Disciples, didst feed themwith the sacred banquet of thy precious

body and blood, and most sweetly com-forting them, didst foretell them thy en-

548 PRAYERS OF ST. BRIDGET.

suing passion; after which, going to

Mount Olivet, thou saidst, My soul is

sorrowful unto death. Remember, I

beseech thee, most sweet Saviour,

that bitter grief and anguish which thysacred soul did suffer when, praying

three several times to thy heavenlyFather, thou didst sweat water andblood, thou wast betrayed by thy owndisciple, apprehended by thy chosenpeople, accused by false witnesses, un-

justly arraigned before three judges,

and in thy chosen city, in the Paschalsolemnity, in the flourishing age of thyyouth, wrongfully condemned, bound,

beaten, spurned, spit upon, despoiled of

thy garments, and clothed with others

in scorn; wast blindfolded, buffeted,

spit upon again, bound naked to a pil-

lar, most cruelly scourged, crownedwith thorns, struck with a reed, andafflicted with innumerable other tor-

ments, pains, and injuries. my LordJesus, by the memory and merit of all

that bitter pain and anguish before thou

breathedst thy last upon the Cross,


vouchsafe to grant me, before my death,

true contrition, entire confession, a flow-

ing fountain of tears, full satisfaction

and plenary remission of all my sins.

Amen.most gracious Lord Jesus, be pro-

pitious to me a sinner.

Our Father, &c. HailMary, &c.

\J flowing Fountain of heavenly de-

lights, remember, I beseech thee,

that grief and sorrow which thou didst

suffer when thy cruel enemies, like

fierce lions, with furious and dreadful

looks, compassing thee round about,

did tear off thy hair, spit upon thy sa-

cred face, scratch, buffet thee, and withall manner of unheard-of injuries, out-

rages, and torments, did most cruelly

and basely blaspheme, scorn, and af-

front thee. most sweet Lord Jesus,

by all those most barbarous and inhu-

man outrages which thou didst suffer,

vouchsafe to deliver me from all myenemies, visible and invisible, that, pro-

sweet Lord Jesus, ever-

550 PRAYERS OF ST, BRIDGET.

tected under the shadow of thy wings,

I may safely arrive at the port of eter-

nal glory. Amen.most gracious Lord Jesus Christ,

be propitious to me a sinner.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, omnipo-tent Creator and Fabricator of the

world and Kepairer of mankind,who containest both heaven and earth

in thy hand, and whose immensity nobounds can limit : remember, I beseechthee, that bitter pain and anguish whichthou didst endure, when the perfidious

Jews pierced thy delicate and tender

hands and feet with most rough andblunt nails, stretching them forth vio-

lently with cords to the holes whichthey had made in the Cross. Thus theyheaped dolors upon dolors, most cruelly

disjointing all thy bones, breaking all

thy veins, and renewing all thy sacred

wounds. most sweet Jesus, by the

memory of all these pains and torments

on the Cross, vouchsafe to give me thy


fear and love, with perfect charity to-

wards my neighbor. Amen.most pious Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, heavenlyPhysician of human nature, andeternal King, remember, I beseech

thee, all those bitter pains which thoudidst endure' in thy sacred members,who, being hoisted up upon the Cross

with all thy precious body rent and torn,

all thy bones being so disjointed that

not one remained in its right place ; not

having from the crown of thy head unto

the soles of thy feet any part left whole,

so that no dolor could be compared to

thine, at which time, being unmindfulof thine own torments, thou didst mer-cifully pray to thy heavenly Father for

thy cruel enemies, saying, Father, for-give them, for they know not what they

do. most meek and merciful LordJesus, by this thy admirable benignity,

goodness, love, and mercy, and by all

thy bitter pains and torments, grant that

the memory of thy dolorous passion


may be to nie a most powerful protectionj

of my soul and body against all the|

deceits, temptations, and molestationsj

of the devils, my cruel enemies,j

Amen.most merciful Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus Christ,

Mirror of eternal brightness, andwisdom of the omnipotent Father,

remember the bitter grief and sorrow thysacred soul did feel, when beholding in

the clear mirror of thy divine presence

the predestination of the elect, whothrough the merits of thy most whole-some passion were to be saved, and the

reprobation of the wicked, who for theirj

ingratitude were to be damned, and the!abyss of thy immense mercy, by which I

thou didst commiserate and shed tears

for us miserable, lost, forlorn sinners

:

and chiefly by that mercy thou didst I

show to the thief upon the Cross, saying !

to him, This day thou shalt he with me in I

Paradise. I beseech thee, most sweet|

Lord Jesus, my Lord and my God, to


show the like mercy to me, now, and at

the hour of ray death. Amen.most sweet Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, omnipo-tent King and most amiablefriend, remember the bitter grief

and sorrow thy sacred soul did suffer,

when being forsaken by all thy friends

and acquaintance, thou didst hang nak-ed, rent, and torn upon the Cross, not

having any to comfort or compassionate

thee, but only the blessed Yirgin Mary,thy Mother, who standing under the

Cross, in the bitterness of her soul, ac-

companied thee in all thy torments, un-

to whom thou didst commend thy be-

loved disciple St. John in thy place,

saying unto her, Woman, behold thy

son ! and after to that disciple, Beholdthy Mother ! most sweet Lord Jesus,

by that sword which did then transpierce

her sacred soul, and by the tender love

and compassion wherewith thou didst

behold the sad distress of thy sorrow-

ful Mother, have pity and compassion47


on me, I beseech thee, my dearest Lord,

and mercifully help, comfort, succor,

and assist me in all my tribulations,

adversities, necessities, sorrows, andsufferings, both, spiritual and corporal.

Amen.most blessed Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet and blessed LordJesus, crown of joy, treasure of

felicity, sweet source of consola-

tion, and unexhausted fountain of mer-

cy;who, hanging on the Cross, out ofthe

most inflamed desire thou hadst of the

salvation of our souls, saidst, I thirst

for the redemption of mankind.

dearest Lord, by this thy ardent charity,

inflame our hearts with thy holy love,

enkindle our desires to accomplish dili-

gently all good works, and wholly ex-

tinguish in me the heat of all evil con-

cupiscence, and worldly affections.

Amen.most excellent Lord Jesus, &c.


OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, the true

light of those that believe in thee,

suavity of our hearts, and sov-

ereign solace of all faithful souls, bythat bitter gall and vinegar thou didst

taste upon the Cross at the hour of thydeath, grant us, miserable sinners, grace

fworthily to receive at all times (and

particularly at the hour of our death)

thy most precious body and blood, that

by the virtue of this divine banquet,

and all other salutary sacraments, wemay be preserved from all evils, sins,

and punishments, and, replenished withall joy, securely appear in thy divine

presence. Amen.most sweet Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, King of

Virtues, and source of all delights,

remember, I beseech thee, that

excessive pain and anguish thou didst

endure for us sinners on the Cross, whenthrough the bitterness of death, andthe impious blasphemies, derisions,

scorns, and reproaches of the Jews,


with a loud voice and weeping eyes,

thou didst cry to thy heavenly Father,

with this sad complaint, My God, myGod, why hast thou forsaken me f

most sweet Lord Jesus, by this thybitter torment, sorrow, grief, and an-

guish, vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to

have pity on me, and succor me in all

my sorrows, sufferances, and tribula-

tions, and particularly at the hour ofmydeath : then, my dearest Lord andmy God, vouchsafe to assist and suc-

cor me, and do not forsake me, I be-

seech thee. Amen.most gracious Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sacred Lord Jesus, Alphaand Omega, the beginning andthe end of all things, and mirror

of all virtues, remember how, from the

crown of thy head to thy feet, thou

wert immerged in the deluge of thy do-

lorous passion, for the love of us vile

sinners. my most sweet Lord Jesus,

by the length, breadth, greatness, andmultitude of thy most sacred wounds

;


take from me the love of the world

;

and teach me, by true and perfect char-

ity, always to keep thy holy laws andcommandments. Amen.

most wise Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, sove-

reign goodness, eternal beatitude

of thy Saints, and most profound

abyss of mercy ! by the deep and do-

lorous wounds which did not only trans-

pierce thy sacred flesh, but even thybowels, and the marrow of thy bones,

be merciful to me a sinner, who nowam drowned in my sins and iniquities,

and hide me in thy sacred wounds fromthe face of thy wrath, until thy indig-

nation be past away and appeased.

Amen.most potent Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, mirror

of truth, pledge of union, andbond of charity

;remember the in-

numerable multitude of all those painful

wounds wherewith thou wast covered47* •

.


from head to foot ; all thy holy bodymost cruelly rent and torn by the im-

pious, and dyed with thy most precious

blood, all which most dreadful dolors

thou didst endure for us vile sinners.

most glorious Lord, engrave these thydolors deeply in my heart, and write

them there with thy precious blood,

that in them I may always read thylove and dolors, so that the memory of

thy painful passion may daily be re-

newed in me, and my love increased

towards thee, and I remain perpetually

thankful to thy immense charity to the

last period of my life, until I come to

enjoy thee my only dear Lord, andmost desired treasure, abounding with

all joy and felicity ; which through thy

goodness be pleased to grant, mostsweet Lord Jesus. Amen.

most noble Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, mostvictorious Lion, and invincible,

triumphant, and immortal King,

remember, I beseech thee, all that bit-


ter pain and anguish thou didst endure,

when all the forces of thy soul and bodyfailing, bowing down thy sacred head,

thou saidst, It is consummated. dear-

est Lord, by those thy deadly dolors,

have mercy on me at my last passage,

when my heart and soul shall be in

anguish and anxiety. Amen.most noble Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, only-be-

gotten Son of the eternal Father,

figure of his substance, splendor

of his glory, remember that most ear-

nest recommendation wherewith thoudidst commend thy sacred soul to thômnipotent Father upon the cross, say-

ing, Father, into thy hands I commendmy spirit/ at which time thou didst

hang naked upon the Cross, with thymost holy body all over wounded, rent,

and torn, pouring forth streams of mostprecious blood, with thy face pale andwan, thy head crowned with thorns, thyarms extended, thy hands nailed, thyveins broken, thy bones disjointed, thy

560 PRATERS OF ST. BRIDGET.

bowels of rnercy opened, thine eyes

weeping and obscured, thy voice fail-

ing, thy palate thirsting, and thy wholeheart broken. my most merciful

Lord, unto all those cruel pains andtorments didst thou deliver thy mostsacred, innocent, tender, pure, and pre-

cious body, for the redemption of us

most wretched, vile, and miserable sin-

ners, and in this manner renderedst thy

sweet soul to thy celestial Father, bywhich most precious and innocent death

of thine, and by the virtue of the holy

Cross, I beseech thee, Father of mercy,

and omnipotent King of Saints, to give

me grace to resist the world, the flesh,

and the devil, that being dead to all

terrestrial things, I may live to thee

alone, and have the happiness to be

received by thee at my last passage,

when this miserable exile shall be

ended. Amen.most pious Lord Jesus, &c.

OMOST sweet Lord Jesus, mostflourishing, true, and faithful vine.


remember the superabundant effusion

of thy precious blood, which thou

didst pour forth so plenteously from all

parts of thy holy body, like a cluster

of pressed grapes, when thou thyself

alone didst tread the wine-press on the

Cross, and out of thy pierced side didst

give us water and wine to drink, not

leaving so much as one drop, being

then like a bundle of pure and precious

myrrh : thou wast hanged on high up-

on the Cross, at which time the marrowof thy bones dried up, and thy mostdelicate and tender body wholly faint-

ed and failed. most sweet Lord Je-

sus, by this most liberal effusion of thyprecious blood, by all the sacred

wounds of thy bitter passion, vouchsafe

to wound my heart with that tender

love wherewith the holy heart of thymost blessed Mother was wounded un-

der the Cross, that tears of love andpenance may be my bread day andnight, and convert me wholly to thee,

that my heart may be thy perpetual

habitation, my conversation pleasing


and acceptable to thy Divine Majesty,

and the end of my life so precious in

thy sight, that having finished this

mortal pilgrimage, I may be admittedinto immortal glory : to praise andglorify thee, my sovereign Lord, in the

sweet society of the holy angels andsaints to all eternity. Amen.

INDULGENCED PRAYER. 563

PIUS VII. GRANTED A PLENARY IN-

DULGENCE to all who shall say,

with contrite heart, the following

prayer, before a crucifix, after receiv-

ing Holy Communion, praying for the

wants of the Church. (The crucifix onyour Beads or on the altar will do.)

Prayer.

Look down upon me, good and gen-

tle Jesus, while before Thy face I hum-bly kneel, and with burning soul prayand beseech Thee to fix deep in myheart lively sentiments of faith, hope,

and charity, true contrition for my sins,

and firm purpose of amendment; the

while I contemplate with great love

and tender pity Thy five wounds, pon-

dering over them within me, whilst I

call to mind the words which David,

Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus:" They pierced my hands and my feet

;

they numbered all my bones."

Say five Our Fathers and five HailMarys for the wants of the HolyChurch.

Vm$tx% ox Sbentttfi &on<j;

for &tmtrag*

566 AD YESPERAS.

V. DEITS in adjutorium meum in-

tende.

R. Domine, ad adjuyandumme festina.

Gloria Patri;

et Filio, et Spiritui

Sancto. Sicut erat in principio;et nunc

et semper, et in saecula saeculorum.

Amen. Alleluja.

vel,

Laus tibi, Domine;Rex aeternae glo-

nae.

Antiphona. Dixit Dominus.Ant. Alleluja.

Psalmus 109.

IXIT Dominus Domino meo

:

* Sede a dextris meis

:

Donee ponam inimicos

tuos;* scabellum pedum

tuorum.

Virgam yirtutis tuae emittet

Dominus ex Sion :* dominare in

medio inimicorum tuorum.

Tecum principium in die yirtutis tuao

AT-EVEN SONG. 567

V. GOD, come to my assistance.

R. Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the

Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it wasin the beginning, is now, and ever

shall be, world without end. Amen.Allelujah.

or,

Praise be to thee, Lord, King of

eternal glory.

The Antiphon. The Lord said.

Ant Allelujah.

Psalm 109.

HE Lord said to my Lord :

Sit on my right hand :

Until I make thy ene-

mies the footstool of thy

feet.

The Lord will send the scep-

tre of thy power out of Sion :

rule thou in the midst of thy

enemies.

Dominion shall be with thee in the

568 AD VESPERAS.

in splendoribus sanctorum: *ex utero

ante luciferum genui te.

Juravit Dominus, et non poenitebit

eum :* Tu es Sacerdos in aeternum, se-

cundum ordinem Melchisedech.

Dominus a dextris tuis;*confregit

in die irse suae reges.

Judicabit in nationibus, implebit rui-

nas :* conquassabit capita in terra

multorum.De torrente in via bibet :

* propterea

exaltabit caput.

Gloria Patri, &c.

Ant. Dixit Dominus Domino meo

:

Sede a dextris meis.

Ant. Fidelia.

Psalmus 110.

CONFITEBOK tibi Domine in toto

corde meo :* in concilio justorum

et congregatione.

Magna opera Domini :* exquisita in

omnes voluntates ejus.

AT-EYEN SONG. 569

day of thy power, in the brightness of

the saints : from the womb before the

day-star I begat thee.

The Lord swore, and it shall not re-

pent him : thou art a priest forever,

according to the order of Melchisedech.

The Lord at thy right hand hathbroken kings in the day of his wrath.

He shall judge among nations, heshall fill ruins : he shall crush the

heads in the land of many.He shall drink of the torrents in the

way : therefore shall he lift up the head.

Gllory be to the Father, &c.

Ant. The Lord said to my Lord : Sit

thou at my right hand.

Ant. All his commandments.

Psalm 110.

I WILL praise thee, Lord, with mywhole heart : in the council of the

just, and in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord :

sought out according to all his wills.

48*

570 AD VESPERAS.

Confessio et magnificentia opus ejus :

*et justitia ejus manet in saeculum

saeculi.

Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum;misericors et miserator Dominus :

*

escam dedit timentibus se.

Memor erit in saeculum testamenti

sui :* virtutem operum suorum annun-

tiabit populo suo.

XJt det illis haereditatem Gentium :

*

opera manuum ejus Veritas et judi-

cium.

Fidelia omnia mandata ejus : confir-

mata in saeculum saeculi :* facta in

veritate et equitate.

Redemptionem misit populo suo :

*

mandavit in aeternum testamentumsuum.

Sanctmn et terribile nomen ejus :

*

initium sapientiae timor Domini.

Intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus

eum :* laudatio ejus manet in saeculum

saeculi.

Gloria Patri;&c.

I

AT-EVEN SONG. 571

His work is praise and magnificence

:

and his justice continueth forever andever.

He hath made a remembrance of his

j

wonderful works, being a merciful andgracious Lord : he hath given food to

i

them that fear him.

He will be mindful forever of his

covenant: he will show forth to his

people the power of his works.

That he may give them the inherit-

ance of the Gentiles : the works of his

hands are truth and judgment.All his commandments are faithful

:

confirmed forever and ever, made in

|

truth and equity.

He hath sent redemption to his peo-

ple, he hath commanded his covenant

forever.

Holy and terrible is his name; the

|

fear of the Lord is the beginning of

! wisdom.A good understanding to all that do

it: his praise continueth forever andever.


572 AD VESPERAS.

Ant. Fidelia omnia mandata ejus

:

confirmata in saeculum sseculi.

Ant In mandatis.

Psalmus 111.

BEATUS vir qui timet Dominum :

*

in mandatis ejus volet nimis.

Potens in terra erit semen ejus :

*

generatio rectorum benedicetur.

Gloria et divitiae in domo ejus : et

justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi.

Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis :

* misericors;et niiserator, et justus.

Jucundus homo qui miseretur et com-modate disponet sermones suos in judi-

cio :* quia in aeternum non commove-

bitur.

In memoria aeterna erit justus :* ab

auditione mala non timebit.

Paratum cor ejus sperare in Doniino,

AT-EVEN SONG.

Ant All his commandments are faith-

ful : confirmed forever and ever.

Ant. In his commandments.

Psalm 111.

BLESSED is the man that feareth

the Lord: he shall delight ex-

ceedingly in his commandments.His seed shall be mighty upon

earth: the generation of the righteous

shall be blessed.

Glory and wealth shall be in his

house : and his justice remaineth for-

ever and ever.

To the righteous a light is risen upin darkness : he is merciful, and com-passionate, and just.

Acceptable is the man that showethmercy and lendeth : he shall order his

I

words with judgment : because he shall

not be moved forever.

The just shall be in everlasting re-

membrance ; he shall not fear the evil

hearing.

His heart is ready to hope in the

L

574 AD VESPERAS.

confirmation est cor ejus :* non com-

movebitur donee despiciat inimicos

suos.

Dispersii, dedit pauperibus : justitia

ejus manet in saeculum saeculi :* cornu

ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

Peccator videbit et irascetur, denti-

bus suis fremet et tabescet :* deside-

rium peccatorum peribit.

Gloria Patri, &c.

Ant. In mandatis ejus cupit nimis.

Ant. Sit nomen Domini.

Psalmus 112.

LAUDATE pueri Dominum; *lau-

date nomen Domini.

Sit nomen Domini benedictum,* ex hoc nunc, et usque in saeculum.

A solis ortu usque ad occasum, * lau-

dabile nomen Domini.

Excelsus super omnes gentes Domi-nus

;* et super ccelos gloria ejus.

AT-EVEN SONG. 575

Lord: his heart is strengthened; heshall not be moved, until he look over

his enemies.

He hath distributed, he hath given

to the poor, his justice remaineth for-

ever and ever: his horn shall be ex-

alted in glory.

The wicked shall see, and shall beangry; he shall gnash with his teeth

and pine away : the desire of the

wicked shall perish.


Ant. In his commandments he hasgreat delight.

Ant. Let the name of the Lord.

Psalm 112.

PRAISE the Lord, ye children;

praise ye the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the

Lord, from henceforth now and forever.

From the rising of the sun unto the

going down of the same, the name of

the Lord is worthy of praise.

The Lord is high above all nations,

and his glory above the heavens.

576 AD VESPERAS.

Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui

in altis habitat, * et humilia respicit in

coelo et in terra ?

- Suscitans a terra inopern, * et destercore erigens pauperem.

Ut collocet eum cum principibus,* cum principibus populi sui.

Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo;

* matrem filiorum laetantem.

Gloria Patri;&c.

Ant., Sit nomen Domini benedictumin saecula.

Ant Nos qui vivimus.

Psalmus 116.

LAUDATE Dominum omnes gentes

:

* laudate eum omnes populi.

Quoniam confirmata est super

nos misericordia ejus :* et Veritas Do-

mini manet in seternum.

Gloria Patri, &c.

Nos qui yivimus benedicamus Domino.

AT-EVEN SONG. 577

Who is as the Lord our God, whodwelleth on high : and looketh down onthe low things in heaven and in earth ?

Raising up the needy from the earth,

and lifting up the poor out of the dung-hill:

That he may place them with prin-

ces, with the princes of his people.

Who maketh a barren woman to

dwell in a house, the joyful mother of

children.


Ant. Let the name of the Lord beblessed forever.

Ant We that live.

Psalm 116.

f~\ PRAISE the Lord, all ye nations

:

I \y praise him, all ye people.

For his mercy is confirmed

i

upon us : and the truth of the Lord

j

remaineth forever.


Ant. We that live bless our Lord.49

1 m

578 AD VESPERAS.

Tempore Paschali.

Ant. Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.

Capitulum, 2 Cor. i.

BENEDICTUS Deus, et Pater Domi-ni nostri Jesu Christy Pater mise-

ricordiarum, et Deus totius con-

solationis, qui consolatur nos in omnitribulatione nostra.

R. Deo gratias.

Hymnus.

UCIS Creator optime,

Luceni dieruni proferens,

Primordiis lucis novae,

Mundi parans originem.

Qui mane junctum vesperi,

Diem vocari praecipis,

Tetrum chaos illabitur;

Audi preces cum fletibus.

Ne mens gravata crimine,

Yitae sit exul munere

;

AT-EVEN SONG. 579

In Paschal Time,

Ant. Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah.

The Little Chapter, 2 Cor. i.

BLESSED be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ, the

Father of mercies, and God of

all comfort, who comforts us in all

our tribulation.

R. Thanks be to G od.

The Hymn.

REATOR of the radiant light,

Fountain of bliss, essential sight,

Emitting splendor's orient beam,The world's creation to proclaim.

Who, with the morn's enlivening ray,

Dispell'st the shades and call'st the day

;

Approaching night o'erspreads the

spheres,

Now gracious hear our sighs and tears.

Distain'd with guilt and foul offence,

Let not a sudden summons hence,

580 AD VESPERAS.

Dum nil perenne cogitat,

Seseque culpis illigat.

Coeleste pulsat ostium,

Vitale tollat prsemium

;

Vitenius onine noxium; •

Purgemus omne pessimum.Praesta, Pater piissime;

Patrique compar Unice,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito,

Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

V. Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea,JR. Sicut incensum in conspectu tuo.

AT-EVEN SONG. 581

Present us at 'thy awful seat,

Victims of fleeting vain deceit.

But rather while at mercy's door

Contrite, our treasons we deplore,

Admit thy suppliants;grant us peace,

That triumph of thy saving grace.

Eternal Father, lend thine ear

;

Co-equal Son, receive our prayer

:

Holy Ghost, we cry to thee,

God ! three in one eternally. Amen.

V. Let my prayer, like incense,

R. Ascend to thee, Lord.

49*

582 AD VESPERAS.

Canticum B. Marice Virginis.

AT-EVEN SONG. 583

584 AD VESPERAS.

Luke i.

MAGNIFICAT * anima meaDominum : Et exultavit

spiritus meus * in Deo salu-

tari meo.Quia respexit humilita-^ tern ancillae suae ;

* ecee enimex hoc beatam me dicent omnesgenerationes.

Quia fecit mihi magna, qui

potens est :* et sanctum nomen ejus.

Et misericordia ejus a progenie in

progenies * timentibus eum.Fecit potentiam in brachio suo; *

dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.

Deposuit potentes de sede;* et ex-

altavit humiles.

Esurientes implevit bonis ;* et divi-

tes dimisit inanes.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum, * re-

cordatus misericordiae suae.

AT-EVEN SONG. 585

Luke i.

'Y soul doth magnify the

Lord

:

And my spirit hath re-

joiced in God my Saviour.

Because he hath regarded

the humility of his handmaid

:

for behold from henceforth all

generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath donegreat things to me : and holy is his

name.And his mercy is from generation to

generation to them that fear him.

He hath showed might in his arm

:

he hath scattered the proud in the

conceit of their heart

:

He hath put down the mighty fromtheir seat, and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with goodthings : and the rich he hath sent awayempty.

He hath received Israel his servant,

being mindful of his mercy.

586 AD YESPERAS.

Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, *

Abraham et semini ejus in saecula.

Gloria Patri, &c.

Then follows the prayer, which is different everyday.

P. Dominus vobiscum.

R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

P. Benedicamus Domino.R. Deo Gratias.

P. Fidelium animse, per misericor-

diam Dei, requiescant in pace.

R. Amen.

Then is sung one of the following anthems, ac-

cording to the time.

From Advent to the Purification.

Alma Redemptoris mater, quae per-

via coeli,

Porta manes, et stella maris, suc-

curre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat populo, tu quae

genuisti,

Natura mirante, tuum sanctum gen-

itorem,

AT-EVEN SONG. 587

As he spoke to our fathers, to Abra-ham and to his seed forever.


Then follows the prayer, which is different every

day.

_P. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

P. Let us bless the Lord.


P. May the souls of the faithful,

through the mercy of God,rest in peace. R. Amen.

Then is sung one of the following anthems, ac-

cording to the time.

From Advent to the Purification.

Mother of Jesus, heaven's open gate,

Star of the sea, support the falling

state,

Ôf mortals; thou whose womb thyMaker bore,

And yet, strange thing, a Virgin as

before;

588 AD YESPERAS.

Yirgo prius ac posterius : Gabrielis

ab ore,

Sumens illud ave, peccatorum mi-serere.

In Advent.

P. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae

;

R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

P. Oremus.G-ratiam tuam quaesumus, Domine,

mentibus nostris infunde ; ut qui, angelo

nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem

cognovinius, per passionem ejus et cru-

cem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perduca-

mur; per eundem Christum Dominumnostrum.

R. Amen.

After Advent.

P. Post partum virgo inviolata per-

mansisti.

R. Dei genitrix. intercede pro nobis.

P. Oremus.

AT-EVEN SONG. 589

Who didst from- Gabriel's hail, this

news receive

;

Repenting sinners by thy prayers re-

lieve.

In Advent.

P. The Angel of the Lord declared

unto Mary.R. And she conceived of the Holy

Ghost.

P. Let us pray.

Pour forth, we beseech thee, Lord,

thy grace into our hearts, that we, to

whom the incarnation of Christ thy

Son has been made known by the mes-sage of an angel, may, by his passion

and cross, be brought to the glory of

his resurrection : through the sameChrist our Lord.

R. Amen.

After Advent.

P. After childbirth thou didst re-

main a pure Virgin.

R. Mother of God, intercede for us.

P. Let us pray.50

590 AD VESPERAS.

Deus qui salutis aeternae beatae Mariae

Yirginitate foecundahumano generi prae-

mia praestitisti : tribue, quaesumus, ut

ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus,

per quani meruimus Auctorem vitae sus-

cipere Dominum nostrum, Jesum Chris-

tun^ Filium tuum.

R. Amen.

From the Purification until Easter.

Ave, Regina Coelorum,

Ave, Domina Angelorum,Salve, radix, Salve, porta,

Ex qua mundo lux est orta

j

Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,

Super omnes speciosa;

Vale, valde decora,

Et pro nobis Christum exora.

P. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sa-

crata.

R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes

tuos.

P. Oremus,

Concede misericors Deus, fragilitati

AT-EVEN SONG. 591

God, who by the fruitful Virginity

of the blessed Virgin Mary, hast given

to mankind the rewards of eternal sal-

vation;grant, we beseech thee, that we

may be sensible of the benefits of her

intercession, by whom we have receiv-

ed the Author of life, our Lord Jesus

Christ, thy Son.

R. Amen.

From the Purification until Easter.

Hail, Mary, queen of heavenly spheres !

Hail, whom the angelic host reveres !

Hail, fruitful root, hail sacred gate !

Whence the world's light derives its

date.

glorious maid, with beauty blessed

!

May joys eternal fill thy breast

:

Thus crowned with beauty and with joy,

Thy prayers with Christ for us employ.P. Vouchsafe, sacred Virgin, to

accept my praises.

R. Give me power against thy ene-

mies.

P. Let us pray.

Grant us, merciful God, strength

592 AD YESPERAS.

nostra presidium ; ut qui sanctae Deigenitricis rnernoriam aginms

;interces-

sionis ejus auxilio a nostris iniquitati-

bus resurgamus;per eundeni Christum

Dominum nostrum.

R. Amen.

From Easter until Trinity.

Regina coeli, lsetare,

Alleluia.

Quia quem meruisti portare,

Alleluia,

Resurrexit, sicut dixit,

Alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum.Alleluia.

jP. Gaude et lsetare, Virgo Maria,

Alleluia.

R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere,

Alleluia.

P. Oremiis.

DEUS qui, per resurrectionem Filii

tui, Domini nostri, Jesu Ohristi,

mundum lsetificare dignatus es;

praesta, qusesumus, ut per ejus genitri-

AT-EVEN SONG. 593

against all our weakness; that we,

who celebrate the memory of the holy

mother of God, may, by the help of her

intercession, rise again from our iniqui-

ties : through the same Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

From Easter until Trinity.

Queen of heaven, rejoice; Alle-

luia.

For he whom thou didst deserve to

bear, Alleluia,

Is risen as he said

:

Alleluia.

Pray for us to God

:

Alleluia.

P. Eejoice and be glad, Virgin

Mary : Alleluia.

R. Because our Lord is truly risen

:

Alleluia.

P. Let us pray.

OGOD, who by the resurrection of

thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

hath been pleased to fill the worldwith joy; grant, we beseech thee, that

50*

594 AD VESPERAS.

ceni Virginem Mariam perpetuse capi-

arnus gaudia vitae;per eundem Chris-

tum, Dominum nostrum.

R. Anien.

From Trinity Sunday until Advent,

SALVE Regina, mater misericordiae,

vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clainainus, exules filii Evae.

Ad te *suspiramus gementes et flentes,

in liac laciymarum valle. Eia ergo,

advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes

oculos ad nos converte. Et Jesum bene-

dictum fructum ventris tui nobis post

hoc exilium ostende ; cleinens, pia,

dulcis Yirgo Maria

!

P. Ora pro nobis, sanctaDeiGenitrix.

R. Ut digni efficiamur promission-

ibus Christi.

P. Oremus.

OMNIPOTENS, sempiterne Deus,

qui gioriosse Virginis Matris Ma-rise, corpus et animam, ut dignum

Filii tui liabitaculum effici mereretur,

AT-EVEN SONG. 595

by the Virgin Mary/ his mother, we mayreceive the joys of eternal life : through

the same Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

From Trinity Sunday until Advent

HAIL, Queen, mother of mercy;

hail, our life, our comfort, andour hope; we, the banished chil-

dren of Eve, cry out unto thee. Tothee we send up our sighs, groaning andweeping in this vale of tears. Come,

; then, our advocate, and look upon us

with those thy pitying eyes. And after

this our banishment, show us Jesus, the

jblessed fruit of thy womb ; merciful,

pious, sweet Virgin Mary !

jP. Pray for us, holymother of God

!



P. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, whoby the co-operation of the HolyGhost,

4didst prepare the body

and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother

II

596 AD VESPERAS.

Spiritu Sancte co-operante, prseparasti;

da, ut cujus cornmernoratione laetamur

ejus pia intercessione ab instantibus

nialis, et a niorte perpetua liberemur

;

per eundeni Christum, Dominum nos-

trum.

R. Amen.JP. Divinuni auxilium maneat semper

nobiscum.

R. Amen.

AT-EVEN SONG. 597

Mary, that she might become a worthyhabitation for thy Son, grant, that as

with joy we celebrate her memory, so

by her pious intercession we may be

delivered from present evils and eternal

death : through the same Christ our

Lord.

R. Amen.jP. May the divine assistance always

remain with us.

R. Amen.

598 AD VESPERAS.

THE BENEDICTION

OF THE

JSlessetr gacrammt

At the Benediction, the following Hymn is

usually sung, or at least the latter part of it, be-ginning with Tantum ergo.

AT-EVEN SONG. 599

THE BENEDICTION

OF THE

600 AD VESPERAS.

HYMN.

ANGE lingua gloriosi,

Corporis mysterium,

Sanguinisque pretiosi,

Quern in mundi pretium,

Fructus ventris generosi,

Rex effudit gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus,

Ex intacta virgine,

Et in mundo conversatus,

Sparso verbi, semine

;

Sui moras incolatus

Miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte coense,

Recumbens cum fratribus,

Observata lege plene,

Cibis in legalibus,

Cibum turbae duodenae

Se dat suis manibus.

AT-EVEN SONG. 601

HYMN.

P^l^ ING, my tongue, adore

|4 an(i praise

The depth of God's myste-0"^ rious ways

:

How Christ, the world's great

king, bestowedHis flesh concealed in human

food,

And left mankind the blood

that paid

The ransom for the souls hemade.

G-iYen from above, and born for man,From Virgin's womb his life began

;

He liYed on earth, and preached to sowThe seeds of heaYenly truth below

:

Then sealed his mission from aboYeWith strange effects of power and love.

Twas on that eYening when the last,

And most mysterious supper past

—

When Christ with his disciples sat,

To close the law with legal meat,

Then to the twelve himself bestowedWith his own hands to be their food.

51

602 AD YESPERAS.

Verbum caro, panem verumYerbo carnem efficit

:

Fitque sanguis Christi merum,Et si sensus deficit;

Ad firmandum cor sincerum

Sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo SacramentumVeneremur, cernui

:

Et antiquum documentumNovo cedat ritui

:

Praestet fides supplementumSensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque,

Laus et jubilatio,

Salus, honor, virtus quoqueSit et benedictio

:

Procedenti ab utroque

Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

JP. Panem de coelo praestitisti eis,

Alleluia.

R, Omne delectamentum in se ha-

bentem. Alleluia.

P. Ora pro nobis;sancta Dei geni-

trix;

AT-EVEN SONG. 603

The Word made flesh, for love of man,By his word turns bread to flesh again;

And wine to blood, unseen by sense.

By virtue of Omnipotence :

And here the faithful rest secure,

Whilst God can vouch, and faith, insure.

To this mysterious table nowOur knees, our hearts, and sense we

bow

:

Let ancient rites resign their place

To nobler elements of grace,

And faith for all defects supply,

Whilst sense is lost in mystery.

To God the Father, born of none,

To Christ, his co-eternal Son,

And Holy Ghost, whose equal rays

From both proceed, one equal praise

:

One honor, jubilee, and fameForever bless his glorious name. Amen.

jP. Thou hast given them bread fromheaven. Alleluia.

R. Beplenished with all sweetness

and delight. Alleluia.

JP. Pray for us;

holy mother of

God;

604 AD YESPERAS.

R. Ut digni efficiamur promissioni-

bus Christi.

jP. Oremus.

Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mi-

rabili passionis tuae memoriam reliquis-

ti; tribue, qusesumus, ita nos corporis

et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari,

ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis

jugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis;&c.

AT-EVEN SONG. 605



The Prayer.

God, who in this wonderful sacra-

ment hast left us a memorial of thy

passion; grant us so to reverence the

sacred mysteries of thy sacred bodyand blood, that our souls may be al-

ways sensible of the fruit of thy re-

demption. Who livest, &c.

51*

606 A PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL.

A PRATER TO ST. MICHAEL.

GLORIOUS St. Michael, prince ofthe heavenly host, who standestalways ready to give assistance

to the people of God ; who didst fightwith the dragon, the old serpent, and

V

A PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL. 607

didst cast him out of heaven, and nowvaliantly defendest the Charch of God,

that the gates of hell may never pre-

vail against her : I earnestly entreat

thee to assist me also, in the painful

and dangerous conflict which I have to

sustain against the same formidable

foe. Be with ine, mighty prince

!

that I may courageously fight, andhappily vanquish that proud dragon,

whom thou hast, by the divine power,

so gloriously overcome, and whom our

powerful king, Jesus Christ, has, in our

nature, so completely overthrown ; to

the end that, having triumphed over

the enemy of my salvation, I may, withthee, and the holy Angels, praise the

clemency of God, who, having refused

mercy to the revolted Angels after their

fall, has granted repentance and for-

giveness to fallen man.

608 EJACULATORY PRAYERS.

lEjacuIatorg Stagers.

PROPER TO RAISE THE HEART TO GOD DUR-

ING THE DAY, AND TO BE SUGGESTED TO

THE DYING TO HELP THEM TO DIE WELL.

1. niy God, I believe in Thee, I

hope in Thee, and I love Thee with all

my heart.

2. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of

Hosts, earth is full of Thy glory. Glory

be to the Father, Glory be to the Son,

Glory be to the Holy Ghost.

(100 days' Indulgence once a day.)

3. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give

you my heart and my soul, (100 days'

Indulgence each time.)

4. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist

me in my last agony, (100 days' In-

dulgence each time.)

5. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, let mysoul send forth her last sigh in peace

with you to aid me.

(100 days' Indidgence each time.)

6. Sacrament most holy ! Sa-

EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 609

crament divine ! All praise and all

thanksgiving be every moment Thine.

(100 days' Indulgence once a day.)

7. Eternal Father ! I offer Thee the

Precious Blood of Jesus, in satisfaction

|

for my sins, and for the wants of HolyChurch.

(100 days9

Indulgence each time.)

8. My Jesus, mercy.

(100 days' Indulgence each time.)

9. May the most just, most high,

j most adorable will of God be in all

things done, and praised, and forever

magnified.

(100 days9

Indulgence once a day.)

10. Blessed be the Holy and Imma-culate Conception of the most Blessed

Virgin Mary.—100 days' Indulgence each time.

11. Sweet heart of Mary, be my sal-

I

vation.—300 days' Indulgence each time.

12. My Queen ! my Mother ! remem-ber I am thine own. Keep me, guard

j

me, as thy property, thine own posses-

i sion.—40 days' Indulgence each time it

is said during temptation.

610 EJACULATORY PRAYERS.

13. My sweetest Jesus, be not Thouray Judge but my Saviour.—50 days'

Indulgence each time.

14. Incline unto my aid, God :

Lord, make haste to help me.

15. Lord, save us, lest we perish.

16. My Jesus, would that I had neveroffended Thee.

17. God, be merciful to me a sinner.

18. Have mercy on me, Lord5ac-

cording to thy great mercy.

19. God of my salvation, permit

not that for a moment of pleasure I

should lose an eternity of happiness.

20. My God, my Saviour, rememberthat Thou art my Father, and forget

not that I am thy child.

21. Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

have mercy on us.

22. Lord, thou hast created us for

Thyself, and we can never be happywithout Thee.

23. my God, grant that I may love

Thee as much as Thou wiliest that I

should love Thee.

612 DEVOUT METHOD OF

JESUS ENTERS THE GARDEN.

THE PRIEST GOES TO THE ALTAR.

HEARING MASS. 613

WHEN THE PEIEST GOES TO THEALTAK.

The Prayer.

TORD JESUS CHRIST, Son

of the living God, who,

when thy passion drew nigh,

didst for me, a wretched sinner,

fear and grow sad;grant that I

may ever direct all my sorrows

unto thee, who art the God of

my heart; and thou, Lord, in

union of thy passion and sorrow,

assist me to bear them with pa-

tience, that, by the merits of thy

sufferings, they may become pro-

fitable to my soul. Amen.52


JESUS PRAYS IN THE GARDEN.

THE PRIEST BEGINS MASS.

HEARING MASS. 615

WHEN THE PRIEST BEGINS MASS.

The Prayer.

T ORD JESUS CHRIST, Son

of the living God, who in

thy bitter agony in the garden

wast comforted by an Angel

;

grant through the merits of thy

prayer, that when I pray, thy

holy angel may assist and com-

fort me. Amen.


JESUS FALLS ON HIS FACE TO THE EARTH.

AT THE CONFITEOR.

HEARING MASS 617

AT THE CONFITEOR.

The Prayer.

T ORD JESUS CHRIST, who,

praying in the garden unto

thy heavenly Father, being in an

agony, didst miraculously sweat

blood from all thy members;

grant that by remembrance of

thy bitter passion I may shed

tears of sincere repentance, now

in thy presence. Amen.

52*

THE PRIEST KISSES THE ALTAR.

HEARING MASS. 619

WHEN THE PRIEST KISSES THEALTAR.

The Prayer.

T ORD JESUS CHRIST, who

sufferedst Judas to betray

thee with a kiss; grant that I

may never betray thee in myneighbor or myself ; nor ever

return evil to my enemies, but

the good offices of charity.

Amen.


JESUS IS LED CAPTIVE.

THE PRIEST GOES TO THE EPISTLE SIDE OF

THE ALTAR.

HEARING MASS. 621

WHEN THE PRIEST GOES TO THEEPISTLE SIDE OF THE ALTAR.

The Prayer.

JÔRD JESUS CHRIST, who

didst submit to be bound by

the hands of wicked men, break,

I beseech thee, the chain of mysins, and so tie me with the bands

of charity, and the cords of thy

commandments, that I mayneither in thought, word, nor

deed, offend thee hereafter.

Amen.


JESUS IS STRUCK ON THE FACE.

AT THE INTROIT.

HEARING MASS. 623

AT THE INTROIT.

The Prayer.

TORD JESUS CHRIST, who

wast brought as a criminal

to Annas, by an armed band of

wicked men; grant that I may

never suffer myself to be led into

sin by the evil suggestions of myfellow-creatures, or the tempta-

tions of the wicked one, but that

I may be safely guided by thy

Holy Spirit to the fulfilment of

thy divine will. Amen.

624 DEYOUT METHOD OF

JESUS IS DENIED BY PETER.

AT THE KYRIE ELEISON.

HEARING MASS. 625

AT THE KYRIE ELEISON.

The Prayer.


sufferedst thyself to be thrice

denied by the prince of the apos-

tles in the house of Caiphas;pre-

serve me, I beseech thee, from ill

company, that I may suffer all

worldly losses, and even death

itself, rather than deny thee once.

Amen.


PETER CONVERTED BY A LOOK OF JESUS.

AT THE DOMINUS VOBISCUM.

HEARING MASS, 627

AT THE D0MINUS VOBISCUM.

The Prayer.


mercifully looking back on

St. Peter, caused him to weep

bitterly for his offences ; look on

me, I beseech thee, with thine

eyes of mercy, that I may with

tears fully bewail my sins, and

neither in word or deed ever

offend thee, my Lord and myGod. Amen.


JESUS IS LED TO PILATE.

AT THE EPISTLE

HEARING MASS. 629

AT THE EPISTLE.

The Prayer.


submitted to be brought

before Pilate, and there falsely

accused ; teach me to avoid the

snares of the wicked, and to

profess my faith constantly by

the performance of good works.

Amen.

53*


JESUS IS BROUGHT TO HEROD.

AT MUNDA COR MEUM.

HEARING MASS. 631

AT MUNDA COR MEUM.

The Prayer.


before Herod, didst for mysake suffer; grant that I may

bear patiently the injuries inflict-

ed on me, and learn from thee,

my divine Master, to be meek

and humble of heart. Amen.

AT THE GOSPEL.

HEARING MASS. 633

AT THE GOSPEL.

The Prayer.


submitted to be sent back

as a fool by Herod to Pilate, and

by that means caused a reconcil-

iation between them;strengthen

me by thy grace, that I may not

fear the designs of my enemies,

but profit by being persecuted

by them, and thus imitate thy

example. Amen.

634 DEVOUT METHOD OP

JESUS IS SPOILED OF HIS GARMENTS.

AT THE UNVEILING OF THE CHALICE.

HEARING MASS. 635

AT THE UNVEILING OF THE CHA-

LICE.

The Prayer.


wast despoiled of thy gar-

ments, and stripped naked, and

scourged, for my sake;grant me

grace, by a sincere confession of

my sins, to put off the old man

with all his acts, and never to

appear before thee destitute of

the virtues of a Christian. Amen.


JESUS IS SCOURGED.

AT THE OFFERTORY.

HEARING MASS. 637

AT THE OFFERTORY.

The Prayer.


for me wast pleased to be

bound unto a pillar, and there

cruelly scourged;give me grace

willingly to bear the scourges of

thy paternal correction, and

never more to grieve thee by

my sins. Amen.

54


JESUS IS CROWNED WITH THORNS.

AT THE COVERING OF THE CHAXJCE.

HEARING MASS. 639

AT THE C0VEKING OF THE CHALICE

The Prayer,


for my sake didst cruelly

submit to be crowned with

thorns, pierce my heart so

thoroughly with the thorns of

penance, that I may deserve to

be hereafter crowned by thee in

heaven. Amen.


PILATE WASHES HIS HANDS.

THE PRIEST WASHES HIS HANDS.

HEARING MASS. 641

WHEN THE PKIEST WASHES HIS

HANDS. v

The Prayer.

T ORD JESUS CHRIST, Son

of the living God, who,

though declared innocent by the

governor, Pontius Pilate, didst

hear, without opening thy divine

lips, the outcries of the Jews to

crucify thee;grant me grace to

lead a holy life, not to be troub-

led by the opinions of men, to

live innocently, so that the mal-

ice of others may not trouble me.

Amen.54*

AT THE ORATE FRATRES.

HEARING MASS. 643

AT THE ORATE FRATRES.

The Prayer.


without murmuring, didst

voluntarily submit to the cruel

mockery of the Jews;grant me

grace faithfully to resist all emo-

tions of vainglory, and on the

day ofjudgment to appear before

thee in the sacred garb of hu-

mility. Amen.


JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DIE.

AT THE PREFACE.

HEARING MASS. 645

AT THE PREFACE.

The Prayer.

T OBD JESUS CHRIST, who

didst, for my sake, vouch-

safe to receive the sentence of

death, even the death of the

cross; grant that on account

of thy love I may not fear the

sentence of the most cruel

death which the perverted

judgments of men can pro-

!nounce against me, nor ever

rashly judge others. Amen.

I

I


JESUS BEARS HIS CROSS.

AT THE MEMENTO FOR THE LIVING.

HEARING MASS. 647

L

AT THE MEMENTO FOE THE LIVING.

The Prayer.

ORD JESUS CHRIST, who,

for my salvation, didst car-

ry on thy shoulders thy heavy

cross; grant that I may ar-

dently embrace the cross of

mortification, and, for the love

of thee, bear it daily after thee.

Amen.


VERONICA OFFERS JESUS A TOWEL.

THE PRIEST HOLDS HIS HANDS OVER THECHALICE.

HEARING MASS. 649

WHEN THE PRIEST HOLDS HIS

HANDS OVER THE CHALICE.

OKD JESUS CHRIST, who,

in that miserable journey

to Calvary, didst so lovingly

admonish the holy women that

wept over thee, to mourn for

themselves; give me grace to

shed tears of repentance, that

with them I may wash off mysins, and become acceptable to

thy Divine Majesty. Amen.

The Prayer.

55


JESUS IS NAILED ON THE CROSS.

THE PRIEST SIGNS THE OBLATION.

HEARING MASS. 651

WHEN THE PRIEST SIGNS THE OB-

LATION.

The Prayer.


wast for my sake nailed to

the cross, and fastened thereto

the handwriting of sin and

death that was against me;

transfix, I beseech thee, mybody with thy holy fear, that,

firmly adhering to thy pre-

cepts, I may for ever be with

thee fastened to thy cross.

Amen.


JESUS IS EXALTED ON THE CROSS.

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE HOST.

HEAKING MASS. 653

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE HOST.

The Prayer.

JÔRD JESUS CHRIST, who,

for love of me, wast pleas-

ed to be elevated on the cross

and exalted above the earth;

detach my heart, I beseech

thee, from all earthly affec-

tions, that my soul may always

live in the contemplation of

heavenly things. Amen.

55*


BLOOD FLOWS FROM JESUS* WOUNDS.

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE.

HEAKING MASS. 655

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHA-

LICE.

The Prayer.

TORD JESUS CHRIST, %saving wounds are the foun-

tain of grace for us;grant that

through the merits of thy pre-

cious blood our hearts may

be purified from all impure

thoughts and affections, and so

freed from all concupiscence,

and from the dominion of sin.

Amen.


JESUS PRAYS FOR THE WORLD.

AT THE MEMENTO FOR THE DEAD.

HEARING MASS. 657

AT THE MEMENTO FOR THE DEAD.

ORD JESUS CHRIST, who,

hanging on the cross, didst

implore thy heavenly Father

for all mankind, even thy cru-

cifiers; give me, I beseech

thee, the grace of humility

and patience, that, according

to thy precepts and example,

I may love my enemies, and

do good to those who hate

me. Amen.

The Prayer.


THE CONVERSION OF THE THIEF.

AT NOBIS QUOQUE PECCATORIBUS.

HEAKING MASS. 659

AT NOBIS QUOQUE PECCATORIBUS.

The Prayer.


didst so mercifully promise

heaven to the penitent thief

that humbly acknowledged his

injustice; behold me, I be-

seech thee, with the same eyes

of mercy, that, now confessing

my crimes, I may obtain par-

don, and at the end of my life

be strengthened with the hope

to be with thee in heaven for

all eternity. Amen.


JESUS THIRSTS.

AT THE LITTLE ELEVATION.

HEARING MASS. 661

AT THE LITTLE ELEVATION.

The Prayer.


didst endure such thirst

for my sake;

grant me grace

to bear patiently for thy sake

all earthly privations, and to

hunger and thirst for thy heav-

enly kingdom, and here below

for thy Word and thy precious

Body and Blood. Amen.

56


SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS.

AT THE PATER NOSTER.

HEARING MASS. 663

AT THE PATER NOSTER.

The Prayer.


from the cross didst recom-

mend thy Blessed Mother to

thy beloved disciple, and that

disciple to thy Mother; I be-

seech thee to receive me and

protect me amidst all the trou-

bles of this life. Amen.


JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS.

AT THE BREAKING OF THE HOST.

HEARING MASS. 665

AT THE BREAKING OF THE HOST.

The Prayer.


for my sake, dying on the

cross, didst commend thy soul

unto thy Father; grant that in

this life I may spiritually die

with thee, and at the hour of

my death confide my soul unto

thee, who livest and reignest

God, world without end. Amen.

56*


THE SOUL OF JESUS DESCENDS INTO HELL.

THE PRIEST PUTS PART OF THE HOST INTO

THE CHALICE.

HEARING MASS. 667

WHEN THE PEIEST PUTS PART OF

THE HOST INTO THE CHALICE.

The Prayer.

TORD JESUS CHRIST, who,

after thy glorious victory

over the power of the devil,

didst descend into Limbo, to

liberate the souls imprisoned

there; apply, I beseech thee,

the virtue of thy most precious

blood and passion to the faith-

ful souls in Purgatory, that

they may be received into the

i

joys of thy Kingdom. Amen.


THE CONVERSION OF MANY AT THE CROSS.

AT THE AGNUS DEI.

HEARING MASS. 669

AT THE AGNUS DEI.

The Prayer.

T ORD JESUS CHRIST, the

meditation on thy torments

has excited many to repent-

ance; I beseech thee, through

the efficacy of thy most bitter

passion and death, to grant meperfect contrition for the offen-

ces of my past life, and grace

to avoid sin in future. Amen.

670 DEYOUT METHOD OF

JESUS IS BURIED.

AT THE COMMUNION.

HEARING MASS. 671

AT THE COMMUNION.

The Prayer.

JÔRD JESUS CHRIST, who

wast pleased to be buried

in a new monument; give me,

Lord my God, a new heart,

that, dying in thee, I may hap-

pily participate in the glory of

thy resurrection. Amen.


JESUS IS ANOINTED.

\

HEARING MASS. 673

AT THE ABLUTION.

The Prayer.


for me, miserable sinner,

wast by Joseph and Mcode-

mus embalmed with spices, and

wrapped in white linen; grant

me worthily to receive from

thy holy altar thy true and liv-

ing body in the holy Eucharist,

and forever entertain it in a

true heart. Amen.

57

HEARING MASS. 675

AFTEK COMMUNION.

The Prayer.

ORD JESUS CHRIST, who

didst rise triumphant out

of a sealed monument;

grant

me grace to rise from the bond-

age of sin, to walk in newness

of life, that when thou, who art

my Judge, shalt appear, I may

also be worthy to appear with

thee in glory. Amen.


JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES.

AT DOMINUS VOBISCUM.

HEARING MASS. 677

AT DOMINUS VOBISCUM.

The Prayer.


after thy resurrection, didst

manifest thyself to thy beloved

mother and disciples, to their

great joy and consolation ; mer-

cifully grant me the grace, that,

after this mortal life, I maywith them rejoice in thy heav-

enly kingdom, enjoying thy

presence for ever. Amen.

57*

AT THE LAST COLLECT.

HEARING MASS. 679

AT THE LAST COLLECT.

The Prayer.


didst vouchsafe, after thy

resurrection, to converse forty

days with thy disciples, and in-

struct them in all the myster-

ies of faith ; teach me, I beseech

thee, the knowledge of those

divine truths, and strengthen

my belief in them, according

to thy doctrine, and the grace

never to swerve in the least

from thy will. Amen.

680 DEVOUT METHOD OP

JESUS ASCENDS INTO HEAVEN.

AT THE LAST DOMINUS VOBISCUM

HEARING MASS. 681

AT THE LAST DOMINUS VOBISCUM.

The Prayer.

TORD JESUS CHRIST, who,

after the term of forty

days, didst ascend glorious

and immortal into heaven, in

the presence of thy disciples;

grant that my heart may, for

thy love, loathe all earthly

things, attend only unto eter-

nal, and pant, hunger, and

thirst after thee, as the first

and best of all blessings. A-

men.

AT THE BLESSING.

HEARING MASS. 683

AT THE BLESSING.

The Prayer.

T OKD JESUS CHRIST, who

didst send the Holy Ghost

upon thy disciples, while they

were engaged in prayer;

cleanse, I beseech thee, myheart from all sin, that the

same Holy Ghost may always

dwell in it by his manifold

gifts, and my soul be everlast-

ingly comforted. Amen.

Documents

The key of heaven: or, A manual of prayer